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    2017 Gran Enemigo- New release

    El Enemigo is a cult wine producer based in the high-altitude wine region of Mendoza, Argentina. The estate is a joint venture by Adrianna Catena and Alejandro Vigil, chief winemaker at renowned Bodega Catena Zapata since 2002. Together they created El Enemigo ("the enemy") and the Bodega Aleanna winery in 2007 and quickly garnered critical acclaim for their Gran Enemigo Gualtallary Cabernet Franc.

    The estate focuses on traditional winemaking techniques and produces just two wine labels: Gran Enemigo and El Enemigo. The Agrelo and Gualtallary wines in the Gran Enemigo portfolio are dedicated to single-vineyard, varietal Cabernet Franc wines made in characteristic Pomerol style, where Cabernet Franc is typically blended with other red Bordeaux grape varieties. In this case, however, there is an Argentinian twist of 15 percent Malbec. The standard Gran Enemigo wine in comparison is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Malbec.

    Acidity and low alcohol (by Argentinian standards i.e. 13-14 percent) are two key characteristics of Gualtallary's wines. These defining features are produced as a result of the cooler temperatures experienced in the high altitude vineyards – the cold nighttime temperatures are beneficial as they lengthen the ripening period, which in turn allows the grapes to retain their acidity. High altitude also brings increased levels of sunlight and UV exposure. The grapes react by producing more skin tannins and, in doing so, give the wines intense color and improved ageworthiness.

    We are delighted to offer a fantastic selection of their new releases below along with their excellent new 2019 Chardonnay:-

    2019 El Enemigo Chardonnay
    GBP 75 IB per 6x75cl (10 cases available)
    The textbook 2019 Chardonnay is elegant and subtle, seamless and integrated, with moderate alcohol and great freshness, finishing dry and very tasty. Vigil likes to have some flor in part of his wines, and it gives them a special complexity and tastiness. 2019 was a very healthy vintage, and the grapes achieved 13.5% alcohol while keeping very high acidity, which makes the palate vibrant and lively. It was produced with grapes from Gualtallary and that always adds extra freshness when picked at the right time. It matured in 500-liter oak barrels for nine months and there's always some flor in the élevage. 16,500 bottles were filled in December 2020. 93+ points Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate

    2017 Gran Enemigo Red Blend
    GBP 185 IB per 6x75cl (10 cases available)
    GBP 65 IB per 1x150cl magnum (5 available)
    GBP 130 IB per 1x300cl double magnum (2 available)

    The blend 2017 Gran Enemigo was produced with 50% Malbec, 15% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 10% Petit Verdot from Gualtallary and feels very creamy and undeveloped, ripe without excess but reflecting the warmer and drier year. The blend of grapes has produced a rounder and mellower wine, gentler but still with a very low pH and very good acidity with a dry, chalky-driven finish. This is more open and approachable than the rest of Gran Enemigo from this vintage. It fermented completely destemmed in barrel—it's the only Gran Enemigo that was destemmed, as the rest were 100% full clusters in 2017—and matured in ancient oak foudre. 20,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2018. 95 points Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate
     

    2017 Aleanna Gran Enemigo Agrelo
    GBP 280 IB per 6x75cl (5 cases available)
    The spicy 2017 Gran Enemigo Agrelo Single Vineyard has notes of cloves and sweet spices (recurrent notes through the vintages in this wine), which, coupled with the fact that this is Cabernet Franc (with 15% Malbec), gives a different profile. In 2017 they only watered this vineyard three times despite the fact that the year was very dry; because the soil retains a lot of water with its high content in clay and the soil is always cooler than the air, it's like a buffer for the high temperatures. So, the place behaves quite well in warm and dry years, and it shows. It's medium to full-bodied with round tannins and a mellow texture. It's tasty and finishes dry and long. Impressive for the vintage. 6,000 bottles were filled in July 2018. 96 points Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate

    2017 Aleanna Gran Enemigo Cepillo
    GBP 280 IB per 6x75cl (5 cases available)
    The nose of the 2017 Gran Enemigo El Cepillo Single Vineyard was truly explosive: tons of curry, aromatic herbs and something vermouth-like, exuberant and very forward, expressive and open. It's Cabernet Franc with 15% Malbec fermented in barrel with indigenous yeasts and with 100% full clusters this year. This is also very distinct, and the exotic and aromatic notes are a constant across vintages. The palate is medium to full-bodied, and this year, the Gran Enemigo wines are around 14% alcohol and keep very good freshness (a pH of 3.05) and remarkable acidity. It's vibrant and finishes dry and with a salty twist, more vertical than I expected for the vintage. 6,000 bottles were filled in 2018. 96+ points Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate

    2017 Gran Enemigo Chacayas
    GBP 280 IB per 6x75cl (5 cases available)
    The more austere 2017 Gran Enemigo Chacayes Single Vineyard was produced with Cabernet Franc and 15% Malbec from a low-yielding and early harvest of plants at 1,100 meters in altitude. The fermentations for the Enemigo wines are always with indigenous yeasts and with some whole clusters, and in 2017, it was 100% (for all the single-vineyard wines) and aged in old oak foudres to avoid excessive aromas of oak or toast. The palate reveals some austerity too, but it has pungent flavors and piercing acidity and a very tasty, almost salty finish. This is also truly impressive, outstanding for a year like 2017 and among the best Chacayes ever. 6,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2018. 97 points Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate

    2017 Aleanna Gran Enemigo Gualtallary
    GBP 300 IB per 6x75cl (10 cases available)
    GBP 110 IB per 1x150cl magnum (5 available)
    GBP 220 IB per 1x300cl double magnum (2 available)

    The 2017 Gran Enemigo Gualtallary Single Vineyard didn't show any heat or excess ripeness from a warm and dry year. On the contrary, it's austere and has citrus acidity, with great freshness and minerality. The palate is super austere with vibrant acidity—by far the highest among the Gran Enemigo bottlings—and very fine, chalky tannins. This is remarkable, serious, balanced and fresh with a very, very long and salty finish. This fermented in barrels with 100% full clusters and indigenous yeasts and matured in centenary oak foudres for 15 months. 3,000 bottles were filled in July 2018. 98 points Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate

    Please let us know if you would like to secure any. If you're interested in any larger formats of the other single vineyards, please also let me know and I'll check availability for you.

    All subject to final confirmation and remaining unsold. Available early 2022.

    CRUMP RICHMOND & SHAW FINE WINES LIMITED ©