Winemaker Notes
El Enemigo Cabernet Franc delivers aromas of juicy plums, raspberries, ripe currants, cassis, black pepper, clove, and tobacco leaves. It is elegant and balanced with flavors of cedar and vanilla. This Cabernet Franc is medium-bodied with excellent structure, supple tannins, and a creamy, vibrant, fresh palate. Certified Sustainable by Bodegas de Argentina.
Pair El Enemigo Cabernet Franc with smoky barbecue, rich lentil stew, herb roasted pork, or eggplant parmesan.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
This has aromas of fresh plums, raspberries, currants, tobacco leaves and bark. Medium-bodied with supple tannins and a creamy, vibrant and fresh palate. Juicy fruit.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
It was curious to see how the Cabernet Franc in cooler years seemed to have ripened more thoroughly, and the 2019 Cabernet Franc and the 2021 felt riper than the 2020, with darker fruit and a headier sensation, despite all being around 13.5% alcohol. These bottlings are never 100% from the variety, and this one contains some 10% Malbec. It has some spicy oak in the background.
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Decanter
Cassis, violet, herb and pepper aromas lead on to a restrained palate of red fruit, tobacco and sandy tannins. Blend: 90% Cabernet Franc, 10% Malbec.
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Wine Enthusiast
This is a delicious Cabernet Franc at great value. Winemaker Alejandro Vigil sourced grapes from Gualtallary and aged this wine for 15 months in 100-year-old foudres. Aromas of cranberry and mulberry perfume the nose. It’s beautifully balanced, with oak spices, green bell pepper and ripe black fruit flavors.
Cabernet Franc, a proud parent of Cabernet Sauvignon, is the subtler and more delicate of the Cabernets. Today Cabernet Franc produces outstanding single varietal wines across the wine-producing world. Somm Secret—One of California's best-kept secrets is the Happy Canyon appellation of Santa Barbara. Here Cabernet Franc shines as a single varietal wine or in blends, expressing sumptuous fruit, savory aromas and polished tannins.
By far the largest and best-known winemaking province in Argentina, Mendoza is responsible for over 70% of the country’s enological output. Set in the eastern foothills of the Andes Mountains, the climate is dry and continental, presenting relatively few challenges for viticulturists during the growing season. Mendoza, divided into several distinctive sub-regions, including Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley, is the source of some of the country’s finest wines.
For many wine lovers, Mendoza is practically synonymous with Malbec. Originally a Bordelaise variety brought to Argentina by the French in the mid-1800s, here it found success and renown that it never knew in its homeland where a finicky climate gives mixed results. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and Pinot Noir are all widely planted here as well (and sometimes even blended with each other or Malbec). Mendoza's main white varieties include Chardonnay, Torrontés, Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.