2017 Gran Enemigo Mendoza

A high-density vineyard with 10,000 vines per hectare in Gualtallary supplies the fruit for this five-way assemblage of mostly Malbec with 50% Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Chalky, focused, nuanced and very refreshing, it’s a beautifully judged red blend, with lavender and wet stone aromas, layers of bramble and black cherry fruit and perfumed oak.

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.

A refined, medium-to full-bodied red with aromas of blackberry, bitter chocolate, violets, tar and tobacco. Ultra fine tannins, interwoven with silky and seamless layers of dark berries. So elegant and fine. Long. Serious and focused with fantastic depth and structure. Drink or hold.