Skip to content
Buy any 6 bottles and save 5%. Buy any 12 bottles and save 10% (excludes wines on offer). Free UK delivery on orders over £100. Tel: 02922 337454
Buy any 6 bottles and save 5%. Buy any 12 bottles and save 10% (excludes wines on offer). Free UK delivery on orders over £100. Tel: 02922 337454

2022 Malbec, El Enemigo

Mendoza, Argentina

Violet Tension

Dark, floral and beautifully precise, this is Malbec with far more lift than weight. Blackberry, fresh plum and black cherry sit alongside violet, pepper, wild herbs and a cool stony note, giving the wine a vivid Gualtallary character. The Cabernet Franc adds freshness and aromatic edge, while the high-altitude fruit keeps everything focused rather than jammy.

On the palate, it is smooth, medium-full and finely structured, with juicy black fruit, chalky tannins and a long savoury finish. The oak is subtle, bringing depth rather than sweetness, while the natural freshness keeps the wine energetic and food-friendly. This is a strong buy for customers who want serious Argentine Malbec with precision, perfume and a distinctly modern feel.

For when: A steak dinner needs Malbec with freshness, polish and more finesse than brute force.

Pairs with: Ribeye steak, roast lamb, beef empanadas, grilled aubergine, mushroom dishes, chimichurri, hard cheeses or slow-cooked beef.

El Enemigo Malbec matters because it shows a more refined side of Argentina’s signature grape. High-altitude Gualtallary fruit, limestone-rich soils and a touch of Cabernet Franc give the wine freshness, fragrance and mineral grip, while Alejandro Vigil’s restrained élevage keeps the fruit firmly in focus. It is recognisably Malbec, but with more tension, savoury detail and finesse than the richer, oakier style many customers expect.

Whats in the bottle
Malbec 90%, Cabernet Franc 10%

Notable Awards
95 Points, James Suckling 94 Points, Jeb Dunnuck 94 Points, Vinous 92 Points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate 92 Points, Wine Enthusiast 92 Points, Descorchados 90 Points, Wine Spectator 90 Points, Tim Atkin MW

Save 12% Save 12%
Original price £24.95
Original price £24.95 - Original price £24.95
Original price £24.95
Current price £21.95
£21.95 - £21.95
Current price £21.95
Availability:
In stock

El Enemigo was created by winemaker and soil specialist Alejandro Vigil and historian Adrianna Catena, daughter of Nicolás Catena. The project grew from a shared interest in Argentina’s wine history and the idea that the most important battle is often the one fought within ourselves, hence the name El Enemigo, “the enemy”.

Vigil brings deep technical experience to the project. Alongside El Enemigo, he has served as chief winemaker at Catena Zapata and previously headed soil research work in Argentina, giving the wines a strong focus on vineyard identity, altitude and geology. Adrianna Catena brings the perspective of both a historian and a member of one of Argentina’s most influential wine families.

The house style is built around freshness rather than sheer power. High-altitude vineyards, calcareous soils, native yeasts and restrained oak help produce wines with perfume, structure and a clear sense of place. For customers, that means Argentine wine with pedigree and personality, but also excellent drinkability.

The 2022 El Enemigo Malbec is made from Malbec 90% and Cabernet Franc 10%. The fruit comes from Gualtallary in Tupungato, Uco Valley, at around 1,470 metres above sea level. The soils are deep, rocky and calcareous, helping give the wine its characteristic chalky tannins, freshness and mineral shape.

Fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts, reaching a maximum temperature of around 29°C over approximately 20 days, followed by a further 15-day infusion with minimal movement. The wine is then aged for 15 months, with 50% in large foudres, 25% in smaller barrels and 25% in tank. Alcohol is 13.5%, and the exact 2022 wine is listed as sustainable and vegan.

The result is Malbec with ripe blackberry and plum fruit, but also violet, herbs, pepper and a fine mineral edge. The mixed ageing keeps oak in the background, so the wine feels polished without becoming sweet or heavy. It is drinking beautifully now, especially with grilled or roasted meats, but the acidity and refined tannins give it enough structure to develop further.

Country
Argentina

Producer
El Enemigo

Region
Mendoza

Sub-Region
Uco Valley

Vintage
2022

Types
Red Wine

Grape
Cabernet Franc, Malbec

Size
750ml