2011 Gran Enemigo Single Vineyard Agrelo Cabernet Franc Lujan de Cuyo

The 2011 Gran Enemigo Agrelo Single Vineyard is very different from the blend or the Gualtallary single vineyard. Here the vineyards are planted at 980 meters altitude on very old alluvial soils, in a place that some 150-170 million years ago was a lake and the water left very fine clay, which is what makes up the soil there. The topsails can be quite deep in some places, down to three meters. This is Cabernet Franc, but always blended with some 10-15% Malbec. The nose is ripe, with plums and dark cherries, plenty of spices and a smoky touch. There are grainy tannins, good acidity, very tasty flavors and an earthy, mineral sensation that somehow lifts the finish up. 3,000 bottles produced.

There's 10% Cabernet Franc in this blend (something of an Alejandro Vigil signature), as well as 30% whole bunches. It's dense and spicy with the weight you'd expect from Agrelo, albeit at comparatively low levels of alcohol. Drink: 2015-19.

(includes 15% Malbec): Deep ruby-red. Lovely floral lift to the deep aromas of black fruits, licorice and dark chocolate. Supple, concentrated and sweet, with dark fruit and chocolate flavors framed by sound acidity. Quite round and full but not at all weighty. Really resounds on the long finish, which boasts a strong tannic structure for aging. This is the best set of releases yet from Alejandro Vigil, who directs winemaking at Catena Zapata and will soon be building his own winery to take care of his own label. Vigil is a strong proponent of Cabernet Franc in Mendoza and I have never before tasted such rich, classy versions of this variety from Argentina.