The 2019 El Enemigo Gualtallary Single Vineyard Proprietary Blend is a Cabernet Franc from the Mendoza region of Argentina, specifically the sub-region of Tupungato. Produced by Bodega Aleanna, this red wine has garnered exceptional reviews from top wine critics, earning a perfect score from both James Suckling and Robert Parker's Wine Advocate.
James Suckling describes the wine as "complex, restrained and deliciously austere," noting its unique blend of damp earth, oyster shells, blueberries, thyme, rosemary, and mushrooms. He highlights its "super serious and chalky" palate, complemented by minerally-textured tannins. Suckling praises the wine for its remarkable tension and texture, calling it "extremely pure, mineral and seductive," and concludes that it's a "fabulous cabernet franc that grows on the palate with remarkable tension and texture." He emphasizes its longevity but also mentions its current drinkability.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate draws comparisons to a great vintage of Lafleur, a Bordeaux wine, underscoring the wine's elegance and subtlety. The review describes the 2019 vintage as one of the finest for this single-vineyard blend of Cabernet Franc, which includes about 15% Malbec. The wine is noted for its slow development in the glass, revealing "layers and layers of aromas" in a subtle manner. The Advocate praises its balance and silky mouthfeel, along with refined, elegant tannins and a long, dry finish with chalky and salty sensations. Unlike many wines that lean towards sweetness, this one is more "about herbs, flowers and rocks."
Both reviews describe the 2019 El Enemigo Gualtallary Single Vineyard as an exceptional wine, with Suckling highlighting its purity and mineral quality, and Robert Parker's Wine Advocate emphasizing its balance and subtle complexity. The wine was bottled in July 2020, with a total production of 9,000 bottles. This Cabernet Franc, with an alcohol content of 13.5%, stands out as a noteworthy addition to any wine enthusiast's collection.