2015 Gran Enemigo Single Vineyard El Cepillo Cabernet Franc Uco Valley

This is crazy wine with amazing volcanic-ash, dark-berry, iron and spice aromas and flavors. Full body and ripe, layered tannins. Shows such layered intensity. Energetic finish. Drink or hold.

In the nose of the 2015 Gran Enemigo El Cepillo Single Vineyard, there was an acute herbal note-rockrose, thyme and mint-reminiscent of the wild herbs that grow in the region. El Cepillo is a cold place within the mild weather of Mendoza, and it's really interesting to be able to taste (and drink!) these bottlings together with ones from different places, as you see the nuances that each place provides to the wines. And if you taste more than one vintage, like in this case, when I also tasted the 2016, it's even more fun. Ironically enough, the slightly warmer 2015 had more of these herbal aromas than the 2016. The wine is really serious, especially in the palate, where the texture is like liquid chalk, it fills your mouth, and those aromatic herb notes make a comeback in the finish. This is mainly Cabernet Franc, but it contains some 15% Malbec; however, starting with the 2016 vintage, they will remove the Cabernet Franc from the label, as they want to focus more on the place than on the variety. 6,500 bottles produced. 2019-2027.