Winemaker Notes
Gran Enemigo Chacayes is dark and firm, with notes of blueberries, black currants, lavender, tobacco, walnuts, and black peppercorns. The finish has a savory mineral character. Certified Sustainable by Bodegas de Argentina.
Gran Enemigo Chacayes is a perfect match for grilled lamb, chimichurri roasted vegetables, or beef stew.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The more austere 2017 Gran Enemigo Chacayes Single Vineyard was produced with Cabernet Franc and 15% Malbec from a low-yielding and early harvest of plants at 1,100 meters in altitude. The fermentations for the Enemigo wines are always with indigenous yeasts and with some whole clusters, and in 2017, it was 100% (for all the single-vineyard wines) and aged in old oak foudres to avoid excessive aromas of oak or toast. The palate reveals some austerity too, but it has pungent flavors and piercing acidity and a very tasty, almost salty finish. This is also truly impressive, outstanding for a year like 2017 and among the best Chacayes ever.
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James Suckling
Beautiful aromas of blackberries, black walnuts and violets with hints of fresh tarragon. It’s medium-bodied with creamy, finely rounded tannins that lead you down to the end of the palate. Succulent and delicious at the finish.
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Wine Spectator
Big and well-structured, with concentrated dark currant and dried blackberry flavors backed by firm acidity and tannins. Creamy dark chocolate notes midpalate lead the lusciously spiced finish.
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.