El Enemigo

Brand Description

El Enemigo translates as the enemy. Nodding to the fact that at the end of any journey, most remember only one battle — the one fought within (the original enemy). This is the battle that defines us. The wines of El Enemigo are a tribute to those internal battles that make us who we are, brought to fruition by a winemaker, Alejandro Vigil, and a historian, Adrianna Catena who share a love of wine and reach back in time to capture the era when European immigrants first settled in Argentina. These settlers sought to make wines as fine, and finer, than those of their old homeland. By 1936, Malbec and Petit Verdot were the most widely planted fine varietals in Argentina, their blend considered the ultimate in refinement and aging potential.

Winemaking and Viticulture Philosophy

El Enemigo is produced at BESA, located in the Vista Flores district in Tunuyán, Mendoza. The facility is named for the unique aspect of Mendoza’s high-altitude winemaking region nestled in the foothills of the Andes Mountains. 

Alejandro Vigil is a soil expert, winemaker, and agronomist. He is the Chief Winemaker at Bodega Catena Zapata, the former head of the soil division at Argentina’s Wine Institute, and the former head of the soil division of INTA. 

Adrianna Catena is the daughter of Nicolás Catena. She has a Master’s Degree in Early Modern Iberian Atlantic history from the University of Oxford. Her dream is to continue the family legacy of winemaking while pursuing a passion for history and writing from a cottage surrounded by vineyards in the Argentine Andes.

Alejandro Vigil
Adrianna
Aleanna Winery
Alejandro Vigil
Chacayes
Concrete Egg with Soil Map
Enemigo Vineyard
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Winery Profile
Owner: Alejandro Vigil & Adrianna Catena
Winemaker: Alejandro Vigil
Founded: 2007
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Acclaim
The 2021 Cabernet Franc, crafted from grapes planted in Gualtallary in the late 1990s after selection in Barrancas, also contains 10% Malbec. It has a delicate purple hue and aromas of licorice, blackberry and a whisper of ash. Lean yet flavorful, the palate is anchored by fine acidity and finishes with a subtle touch of fruit. Structured more like a white wine, this Cabernet Franc uses acidity as its backbone, giving it a fresh, lifted profile. — acclaim for 2021 El Enemigo Cabernet Franc from Vinous, Nov 2024
This 2021 Malbec contains 10% Cabernet Franc sourced from the slopes of Gualtallary in the Uco Valley. After fermenting in new oak barrels, it opens with delicate notes of violet and fresh plum, accented by subtle herbal hints. Compact yet expressive, its juicy palate reveals layers of plum and licorice, with a balanced and appealing flavor profile. A true hallmark of this wine is its unburdened texture, carrying pristine floral nuances through an enduring, graceful finish. — acclaim for 2021 El Enemigo Malbec from Vinous, Nov 2024
The 2021 Cabernet Franc Gran Enemigo Agrelo contains 15% Malbec from Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo, aged for a year in foudres and barrels. Purple with a hint of garnet, it opens with plum, blackberry, ash and cassis aromas, a touch of Worcestershire sauce and a subtle fine wood note in the background. The palate is rich and well-structured, with delicate juiciness and lingering flavors. Velvet tannins typical of Luján provide a refined texture, while the ripeness lends a pleasingly smooth mouthfeel, especially notable for a cool vintage. — acclaim for 2021 Gran Enemigo Agrelo from Vinous, Nov 2024
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