El Enemigo : Gran Enemigo "El Cepillo" 2022

Characteristics and tasting tips for Gran Enemigo "El Cepillo" 2022 by El Enemigo

Tasting

Colour
A deep colour revealing an intense purple-red hue.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet opens with intense notes of blackberry and black liquorice, enhanced by touches of iodine, spices and mountain herbs.

Palate
Both dense and remarkably refined, the palate reveals vibrant acidity and a deep mineral core. The tannins, though powerful, offer an elegant chalky texture, leading to a persistent finish that expresses the full authenticity of its terroir.

Food and wine pairings

This cuvée pairs beautifully with chicken curry with spinach and rice, roast meats, stuffed pasta or spicy stews.

Serving and cellaring

Built for long ageing, Gran Enemigo "El Cepillo" 2022 has a solid structure that will allow it to age magnificently in bottle for more than a decade.

The pure expression of a high-altitude Mendoza terroir by El Enemigo

The estate

Born of a shared passion, the El Enemigo brand was officially founded in 2007. This winemaking project, located in the renowned Mendoza region of Argentina, is run by its two current owners, Adrianna Catena and Alejandro Vigil, the latter also serving as winemaker. The estate stands out for its commitment to combining a rigorous scientific approach with a genuine expression of terroir. By exploring high-altitude landscapes, it quickly built a strong international reputation, offering cuvées that faithfully reflect the identity and memory of their place of origin.

The vineyard

The grapes come from the Cordón El Cepillo area, in San Carlos, in the southernmost part of the Uco Valley in Mendoza. Rising to 1,300 metres above sea level, this extreme terroir is characterised by colluvial soils resting on a bed of marine limestone. The vines are planted at a high density of 8,000 vines per hectare, encouraging natural competition that concentrates the aromas and preserves great freshness.

The vintage

2022 is considered an exceptional year. The weather conditions during this growing season resulted in remarkable berry concentration and optimal polyphenolic ripeness, while preserving ideal acidity and a perfectly balanced alcohol level.

Vinification and ageing

The making of Gran Enemigo "El Cepillo" 2022 begins with a five-day cold maceration. Fermentation then takes place in concrete vats at an average temperature of 26°C, with 30% whole bunches. Extraction is achieved through a gentle forty-day infusion with minimal handling. Finally, the wine is aged for 15 months exclusively in concrete vats to preserve the purity of the fruit.

Grape varieties

This cuvée is a blend of 85% Cabernet Franc and 15% Malbec.