2015 Gran Enemigo Mendoza

I always love this wine for its aromatic complexity with sweet tobacco, berries, walnuts and smoked meat. Full-bodied, very complex and velvety with a long, long finish. Superb fruit. Drink or hold.

A red blend from Gualtallary, the 2015 Gran Enemigo is 50% Malbec, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot, cropped from a year that could be compared with a slightly cooler version of 2012 matured in used 2,000- and 4,000-liter oak foudres for 18 months. There is a little more Malbec here compared with previous years. The wine is a powerful and serious blend, with all the varieties very integrated, solid, compact and still very young. It's quite classical, with nicely integrated oak and notes of sweet spices, black cherries and an herbal touch, with good maturity and a medium to full-bodied palate, round tannins, a soft mouthfeel but with good grip. There is great balance, purity of flavors and a clean, focused and very long finish. 24,000 bottles produced. 2019-2029.

This Bordeaux style red blend is dominated by Malbec, with support from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot and showcases Alejandro Vigil's brilliance as a blender. Floral, refined and harmonious with silky tannins and understated oak, it's a wine of nuance and complexity. 2020-29.