El Enemigo : As Bravas Malbec "El Cepillo" 2018

Characteristics and Tasting Notes of El Enemigo's As Bravas Malbec "El Cepillo" 2018

Tasting Notes

Appearance
This wine reveals a very dark and deep hue, almost opaque, marked by an intense tone reminiscent of black fruits and enhanced by violet highlights.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet proves particularly dynamic and complex. It opens with intense aromas of ripe black fruits, such as blackberry, before revealing mineral notes of graphite, ash and charcoal. Subtle touches of dry spices, liquorice, fresh herbs and violet further enrich this ever-evolving nose.

Palate
On the palate, this wine combines remarkable density with great elegance. The texture proves ample, velvety and lingering, supported by extremely fine tannins. The whole offers an airy sensation, with no heaviness whatsoever, extending into an exceptionally long and lively finish.

Food and Wine Pairing
This cuvée pairs beautifully with roasted or grilled red meats, such as a rib of beef or leg of lamb. It will also brilliantly accompany slow-cooked dishes, delicately prepared game, as well as aged hard cheeses.

Serving and Cellaring
As Bravas Malbec "El Cepillo" 2018 shows remarkable ageing potential. Stored under optimal conditions, it can be enjoyed until around 2043.

A great Malbec from the Valle de Uco with timeless elegance

The Estate
Founded in 2009 by Alejandro Vigil and Adrianna Catena, the Aleanna bodega, creator of the El Enemigo brand, is located in the Mendoza region. This estate of around 16 hectares stands out for its meticulous agronomic approach and its strong connection to culture and art. The current owners craft high-altitude wines, showcasing limestone terroirs and high planting densities. The estate now enjoys international acclaim thanks to its single-parcel cuvées, which purely express the identity of their terroir.

The Vineyard
The grapes come from a small 1.7-hectare plot located in the Cordón El Cepillo sector, in San Carlos, at the heart of the Valle de Uco. Perched at 1,300 metres above sea level, this vineyard is characterised by a high density of 8,000 vines per hectare. The Malbec vines are planted ungrafted, on their own roots, in colluvial soil that harbours limestone rocks of marine origin in its depths.

The Vintage
2018 is considered a classic vintage for the region. Weather conditions proved dry, cool and particularly sunny. This climatic stability allowed for moderate yields across all high-altitude areas, providing an ideal environment for optimal berry ripening.

Winemaking and Ageing
Under the guidance of winemaker Alejandro Vigil, the vinification of As Bravas Malbec "El Cepillo" 2018 begins with fermentation in concrete tanks at an average temperature of 26°C. The harvest is vatted using 100% whole clusters. This is followed by a very long 80-day infusion, carried out with minimal intervention and movement for gentle extraction. The wine is then aged for 64 months in old foudres, before a further year of rest in bottle.

Grape Varieties
This wine is made from a blend of 95% Malbec and 5% Semillon.