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
“Alejandro Vigil makes this best-selling, ambitiously priced, Gualtallary blend from Malbec, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc and 5% Merlot. Deeply coloured and intense, it has sweet cinnamon and ginger spice top notes, glossy, seamless tannins, some tobacco lead from 20% whole bunches and flavours of cassis, blueberry and black cherry.” — acclaim for 2021 Gran Enemigo from Tim Atkin, MW, Jun 2024
“Blue fruit with blackberries, violets, white roses and a touch of curry. Medium-bodied with fine tannins. Rather reserved on the palate with a brightness.” — acclaim for 2021 Gran Enemigo from James Suckling, Feb 2024
This fresh version is imbued with layers of pure raspberry and red currant, while peppercorn and graphite nuances add dimension. The finish has nice length, with caressing tannins and a persistent push of fruit. — acclaim for 2021 El Enemigo Cabernet Franc from Wine Spectator, Feb 2025
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