2019 Bodega Aleanna 'El Enemigo' Chardonnay Mendoza

About the Wine

Founded in 2007, El Enemigo Winery is a project between two of the strongest names in the Argentinian wine industry, Alejandro Vigil and Adrianna Catena.  

Alejandro Vigil is the mastermind behind El Enemigo’s wines and some of the best wines in all of Argentina for that matter. In fact, Enemigo was the first winery to obtain a 100-point score from Robert Parker. 

Alejandro Vigil is a master of Chardonnay. He's a man who likes to push boundaries, which is why this impressive white was made with a little flor, just like a Fino Sherry. Asian pear, sliced green apple, fresh quince, toasty almond, honey nectar, and vanilla bean sing across the palate in perfect harmony. This briny and textured pearl will have you tapping your feet to the rhythm of the Chardonnay master's drum.

Within Mendoza, you will find a hidden gem, the place James Suckling refers to as “Mendoza’s Montrachet,” known locally as Gualtallary. This region is one of the highest points in the entire country and today, this region has become the talk of the town for all wine lovers and pros. Since 2005, this dreamy place overlooking the majestic Andes Mountains has been considered one of the 11 Great Wine Capitals, a list that includes regions like Bordeaux and Rioja. 100% of the grapes in this Chardonnay come from Gualtallary.

None of this is any surprise to Greg Martellotto, Bighammerwines.com owner and founder. Read his insights from Mendoza and the importance of Uco Valley as the epicenter for the best wines from the region here.

Aging: 9 months in French oak with veil. 500 lt barrels.

Tasting Notes: 100% Chardonnay.
See Critical Reviews for detailed tasting notes.

Reviews

Cooked apple, lemon curd and light vanilla on the nose, together with stone, mineral and some dried flowers. Medium to full body with a creamy texture and beautiful fruit. Hints of vanilla and pie crust in the aftertaste. Always great quality for the price. Drink or hold. ~96 James Suckling

Gualtallary is one of the best sources in Argentina when it comes to chardonnay. And there, one of the jewels in the crown is the Adrianna vineyard, which Catena planted in 1992. This Chardonnay comes from that vineyard, from soils rich in lime and alluvial stones. The place produces whites with a lot of personality and this is felt in the mineral notes that mix with the fruit flavors. The body is broad and speaks of the aging for nine months in barrels; the toasted notes, the slight sweetness. It is an imposing Chardonnay, delicious for fish with fatty meat. Or also for storage. This white will only gain in complexity with the years in the bottle. ~95 Descorchados

The textbook 2019 Chardonnay is elegant and subtle, seamless and integrated, with moderate alcohol and great freshness, finishing dry and very tasty. Vigil likes to have some flor in part of his wines, and it gives them a special complexity and tastiness. 2019 was a very healthy vintage, and the grapes achieved 13.5% alcohol while keeping very high acidity, which makes the palate vibrant and lively. It was produced with grapes from Gualtallary and that always adds extra freshness when picked at the right time. It matured in 500-liter oak barrels for nine months and there's always some flor in the élevage. ~93+ Robert Parker

Rich and well-spiced, with plush dried apple, apricot and pear tart flavors. Minerally finish has lingering notes of dried mint and tarragon. Drink now through 2024. 1,400 cases made, 1,000 cases imported. ~90 Wine Spectator

Delicate notes of honeysuckle and chamomile flowers with pear and pineapple aromas are in the glass of this elegant Chardonnay from Gualtallary in the Uco Valley. The creamy palate is flavorful with concentrated citrus, tropical fruit and vanilla notes backed by nice acidity. It has a lingering finish with pleasant, sweet oaky flavors in the aftertaste ~90 Wine Enthusiast.

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