El Enemigo Cabernet Franc

El Enemigo Cabernet Franc is a high-altitude Argentine red wine from Mendoza's Uco Valley, bottled at 13.5% ABV in a 750ml format. Scoring 94 points from James Suckling (2022 vintage) and consistently earning 93 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate across multiple vintages, this Cabernet Franc-dominant blend has established itself as one of Argentina's most compelling expressions of the varietal.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Gualtallary, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina  |  Varietal: ~90% Cabernet Franc, ~10% Malbec  |  Producer: Bodega Aleanna

Production & Heritage

Bodega Aleanna is the project of acclaimed Argentine winemaker Alejandro Vigil, widely regarded as one of South America's most influential wine figures. The fruit for this wine is sourced from vineyards in Gualtallary, Tupungato, at a striking 1,470 meters (4,822 feet) above sea level — an elevation that delivers intense UV exposure and dramatic diurnal temperature swings, pushing phenolic complexity and aromatic intensity. Fermentation takes place in concrete following a five-day cold maceration, with 30% whole bunch inclusion — a technique rarely attempted with Cabernet Franc because the variety already carries green characteristics, making its successful execution here a testament to Vigil's mastery of the grape at altitude. After a 40-day infusion with minimal movement, the wine ages for 15 months in predominantly old foudres with roughly 20% new oak, preserving fruit purity while adding structure.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Red cherry and dark berry fruit rise first, followed by layers of cedar, graphite, and black pepper. A mineral thread — often described as crushed rock — runs beneath herbal and subtle leathery notes.

Taste: The entry is juicy and fresh, with ripe raspberry and red currant flavors carried by a savory backbone. At mid-palate, dark chocolate, tobacco, and a touch of earthiness develop, giving the wine serious depth without heaviness. A small component of Malbec adds a plush, rounded quality to the core fruit.

Finish: Medium-to-long, with sandy, caressing tannins and persistent fruit push. Cedar and graphite linger alongside a faint violet note that recalls the aromatic opening.

How to Drink El Enemigo Cab Franc

This wine is best served at 60–64°F (16–18°C) with 30 minutes of decanting to open up its layered aromatics. It drinks beautifully on its own and rewards patient sipping.

• Pairing with grilled meats: The wine's herbaceous, peppery character and medium-bodied structure make it a natural companion for grass-fed lamb or Argentine-style asado.
• Charcuterie service: Savory cured meats and aged cheeses amplify the tobacco and cedar notes without overwhelming the wine's elegance.
• Mushroom-based dishes: The earthy undertones and graphite minerality harmonize with wild mushroom risotto or truffle-accented preparations.

Best For

• Wine enthusiasts exploring Argentine Cabernet Franc beyond Malbec
• Gifting to a Bordeaux lover ready for a high-altitude South American counterpart
• Pairing with a weekend asado or grilled lamb dinner
• Building a cellar with age-worthy, critically acclaimed Argentine reds

Frequently Asked Questions

What does El Enemigo Cabernet Franc taste like? It delivers ripe red fruit — raspberry and red currant — alongside savory notes of cedar, graphite, tobacco, and black pepper, supported by sandy tannins and a persistent mineral finish.

How does El Enemigo Cabernet Franc compare to Gran Enemigo? El Enemigo serves as Bodega Aleanna's entry-level Cabernet Franc expression, while Gran Enemigo is a single-vineyard, more concentrated bottling that draws direct comparisons to Bordeaux Right Bank wines; both showcase Alejandro Vigil's distinctive high-altitude Cabernet Franc style but at different levels of complexity and price.

Is El Enemigo Cabernet Franc good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its balance of fruit, tannin, and acidity makes it an engaging wine to drink on its own, particularly after a short decant to let the aromatic layers unfold.

Where is El Enemigo Cabernet Franc made? It is produced by Bodega Aleanna in the Gualtallary district of Tupungato, within Mendoza's Uco Valley, Argentina, from vineyards planted at 1,470 meters elevation.

What foods pair well with El Enemigo Cabernet Franc? Grilled lamb chops complement the herbal, peppery character; aged Gouda or Manchego echoes the cedar and tobacco tones; wild mushroom dishes highlight the earthy minerality; charcuterie boards draw out savory complexity; and roasted red pepper preparations mirror the wine's fruit profile.

What sizes does El Enemigo Cabernet Franc come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle.

Is El Enemigo Cabernet Franc worth the price? Positioned in the mid-premium tier, it delivers the kind of complexity and critical acclaim — multiple 93-point scores from Robert Parker and a 94 from James Suckling — that outperforms many wines at significantly higher price points, making it a strong value within the serious Argentine red category.

Why El Enemigo Cabernet Franc?

Few producers anywhere in the world have built such a convincing case for Cabernet Franc grown at extreme altitude. The 30% whole bunch fermentation — a technique most winemakers avoid with this variety due to the risk of excessive green character — succeeds here precisely because Gualtallary's 1,470-meter elevation produces fruit with enough ripeness and phenolic concentration to absorb and integrate the stems. Alejandro Vigil's decision to ferment in concrete and age predominantly in old foudres keeps the focus squarely on terroir rather than oak influence. The result is a wine that has earned consistent critical recognition from Wine Advocate, James Suckling, Wine Spectator, and Decanter, and one that stands as a benchmark for what Argentine Cabernet Franc can achieve.