Gran Enemigo Gualtallary Single Vineyard 2020

Gran Enemigo Gualtallary Single Vineyard is a wine of great complexity, made primarily from Cabernet Franc grapes, along with a small percentage of Malbec; both varietals ferment together, in the old Pomerol style. The grapes come from the Gualtallary region, grown in a vineyard planted at an altitude of 1,430 metres, on a chalky soil. In this desert-like, rocky corner of the Uco Valley, the plants enjoy a colder climate than in other nearby areas, which endows the wines with extra freshness and tension. 50% of the volume was fermented with destemmed Cabernet Franc grapes and 30% whole clusters of Malbec. The grapes originating from more calcareous soils underwent carbonic maceration in small tanks and were pressed a week later, then the must finished fermenting in second and third-fill French oak barrels. After that, all the wine aged for seven months in large French oak casks. Its colour is intense, purple with a reddish rim. Its aromas are complex, intense and elegant. Complementing the vegetal and spicy notes of the Cabernet Franc are those of the Malbec's ripe black fruit. Time spent in contact with the oak adds restrained touches of vanilla overall. On the palate, the texture is very fine and the acidity amazing. It proves complex, with structured, grainy tannins. The finish and aftertaste emphasise its mineral, almost saline character. If you want to understand the true potential of this region, with soils akin to Burgundy and Champagne, don't deprive yourself of one of the very few 3,400 bottles of this immense Mendoza red.