Gran Enemigo El Cepillo Cabernet Franc 2020: Precision from Altitude, Purity from Soil

The Gran Enemigo El Cepillo Cabernet Franc 2020 is a wine that distills the spirit of the Andes, offering a profound expression of elegance, freshness, and terroir. Harvested from the iconic El Cepillo vineyard in the southern Uco Valley, this vintage presents a captivating aromatic profile of crushed raspberry, fresh thyme, graphite, and subtle black pepper, underscored by touches of lavender and flint that evoke the vineyard’s limestone soils and high-altitude climate.

On the palate, the 2020 vintage is precise and focused, with a vibrant core of red fruit, cool herbal tones, and mineral energy. The tannins are fine and persistent, accompanied by a refreshing natural acidity that brings lift and clarity. The finish is long, chalky, and refined, with lingering notes of dried flowers, wet earth, and spice.

Aged in a mix of neutral French oak barrels and large foudres, the wine retains its purity and varietal integrity, while the oak adds textural elegance and subtle savory complexity.

The Gran Enemigo El Cepillo Cabernet Franc 2020 pairs beautifully with elegant, flavor-driven cuisine. Enjoy it with thyme-roasted duck confit, where the wine’s acidity and herbal lift balance the richness of the dish. It also shines with smoked ricotta and spinach cannelloni, bringing out the wine’s mineral and savory character. For a seasonal vegetarian option, pair it with charred zucchini and burrata salad or beetroot carpaccio with toasted hazelnuts and balsamic reduction, which highlight the wine’s earthiness and aromatic precision.

Crafted by Alejandro Vigil and Adrianna Catena, this vintage is a tribute to both the legacy of Argentina’s early winemaking pioneers and the precision of modern viticulture. The Gran Enemigo El Cepillo Cabernet Franc 2020 stands as a timeless representation of place and identity — a wine of depth, clarity, and lasting impact.

• Variety: Cabernet Franc
  
• Region: Uco Valley, Mendoza
• Winemaker: Alejandro Vigil
• Aging: 7 months in oak foudre.
• Presentation: 750 ml bottle