El Enemigo Gran Enemigo Chacayes Single Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2017

The more austere 2017 Gran Enemigo Chacayes Single Vineyard was produced with Cabernet Franc and 15% Malbec from a low-yielding and early harvest of plants at 1,100 meters in altitude. The fermentations for the Enemigo wines are always with indigenous yeasts and with some whole clusters, and in 2017, it was 100% (for all the single-vineyard wines) and aged in old oak foudres to avoid excessive aromas of oak or toast. The palate reveals some austerity too, but it has pungent flavors and piercing acidity and a very tasty, almost salty finish. This is also truly impressive, outstanding for a year like 2017 and among the best Chacayes ever. 6,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2018.

The 2017 Cabernet Franc Gran Enemigo Single Vineyard Chacayes is mixed with 15% Malbec from Los Chacayes, Uco Valley from vineyards planted in rocky soils and 30% fermented in whole bunches before aging in French barrels and foudres. Dark, rich, purple in the glass. The taut, simple aromas feature blackcurrant and blackberry with hints of herb, jarilla, jalapeno and ash with the herbs taking over at the end. On the palate, it's free-flowing with good volume and a tight, juicy flow in which the rocky soils bring structure and the region ensures lively acidity. The result is an intense, concentrated red that maintains its fresh feel and will improve in the bottle.

The nose offers bright notes of dried herbs and chalk over a core of cherry and plum. With ripe, concentrated fruit flavors and earthy notes on the palate, this wine is nicely balanced. It has a peppery midpalate with a mineral character, firm tannins and fruit on the lingering finish.