El Enemigo Chardonnay Uco Vallley, Mendoza, Argentina 2020

SKU:
El Enemigo Chardonnay Uco Vallley, Mendoza, Argentina 2020

El Enemigo Chardonnay Uco Vallley, Mendoza, Argentina 2020

SKU:
Regular price $32.00 Sale price $25.60 Save 20%
/
Size
  • Translation missing: en.info.in_stock
  • Translation missing: en.info.backordered
BIN ENDS THREE-PACK FEATURE:
$67.20 FOR 3/750 ML BTLS SAVE 30% COMPARE@ $96.
ORDER 3+ BOTTLES; DISCOUNT TABULATES TO $22.40/BTL.

PRODUCT OVERVIEW/REVIEWS:El Enemigo is a labor of love by Adrianna Catena of Catena Zapata fame and Alejandro Vigil. Adrianna grew up around wine but went into academia, eventually earning a Ph.D. in History. Alejandro was fascinated by winemaking from a young age but put those ambitions aside to become an agricultural engineer. While both enjoyed illustrious careers in their respective fields, they both found that their true calling was in wine craftsmanship. They both returned to Bodega Catena Zapata, where Alejandro became the chief winemaker.

Alejandro is known as a Chardonnay master and a winemaker who flourishes when he pushes boundaries. Boundaries were most definitely pushed in the making of today's wine; Alejandro's mad skills are on full display here.

The El Enemigo Chardonnay is sourced from the Gualtallary Vineyard in Tupungato, a sub-appellation in Mendoza's Uco Valley. The appellation's high elevation, great sun exposure, and alluvial soils contribute to the wine's rich fruit profile and terroir-driven characters. The wine was fermented and aged for nine months in a combination of new and seasoned oak barrels. As a nod to the Fino and Manzanilla sherries of Spain, the wine was aged under a thin layer of flor, a veil of yeast cells that forms on top of the wine in the barrels and adds depth and complexity.

Check out the press on this stunning offer!

2019 vintage:

96 points, James Suckling:
"Cooked apple, lemon curd, and light vanilla on the nose, together with stone, mineral, and some dried flowers. Medium to full body with a creamy texture and beautiful fruit. Hints of vanilla and pie crust in the aftertaste. Always great quality for the price." (8/12/22)

94 points, Vinous:
"The 2019 Chardonnay El Enemigo from Gualtallary (Vineyard), Uco Valley, was aged for nine months in 500-liter barrels, partially in flor. Yellow with golden flecks. The aromas deliver cedar, hazelnut, hints of white fruit, a touch of yeast, and a whiff of sherry. Dry in the mouth, with a terse, velvety texture that nonetheless remains compact. The backdrop is full of cedar and flor flavors with hints of salinity and a prolix aftertaste." (6/2021)

93 points, Wine Advocate:
"The textbook 2019 Chardonnay is elegant and subtle, seamless and integrated, with moderate alcohol and great freshness, finishing dry and very tasty. Vigil likes to have some flor in part of his wines, and it gives them a special complexity and tastiness. 2019 was a very healthy vintage, and the grapes achieved 13.5% alcohol while keeping very high acidity, which makes the palate vibrant and lively. It was produced with grapes from Gualtallary and that always adds extra freshness when picked at the right time. It matured in 500-liter oak barrels for nine months and there's always some flor in the élevage. 93+" (3/2021)

2020 Vintage:

96 points, James Suckling:
"This has aromas of ripe apricots, buttercream, baked apples, and pastries. Medium-to-full-bodied with a creamy, round, and almost oily texture. Lovely balance of ripe fruit and toasted pastry notes with bright acidity. Delicious finish. Fantastic value, as always. Drink now or hold." (1/2/23)

92 points, Wine Spectator:
"Shows Viognier-like floral notes of gardenia and honeysuckle, with an elegant yet rich body of peach and pineapple. Reveals hints of thyme and mineral on the lengthy finish. Drink now through 2026. 1,600 cases made, 1,000 cases imported." (online)

PRODUCT DETAILS:
Producer Name: El Enemigo
Old/New World: New World
Country of Origin: Argentina
Region: Mendoza
Sub-Region: Tupungato
Appellation: Mendoza
Village/Vineyard/Climat: Gualtallary Vineyard
Quality Designation:
Grape Varietals: Chardonnay 100%
Vintage: 2020
Product Type: Wine
Wine Style: Full Bodied White Wine
Winemaker: Alejandro Vigil
ABV: 13.5%
Pack/Size: 12/750 ml
Container Type: Green Glass Burgundy-style Bottle
Closure Style: Natural Cork

ORDER 3+ BOTTLES; DISCOUNT TABULATES TO $22.40/BTL.

This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recently viewed