Gran Enemigo El Cepillo Cabernet Franc 2021: A Timeless Expression of Elegance, Terroir, and Heritage

The Gran Enemigo El Cepillo Cabernet Franc 2021 is a wine that captures the soul of the Andes, blending elegance and complexity in a way that honors both its historic roots and its modern craftsmanship. Sourced from the prestigious El Cepillo vineyard, this vintage presents an expressive bouquet of wild herbs, ripe blackberries, and green peppercorn, interwoven with subtle hints of smoke and wet stone, evoking the distinct character of this high-altitude site in the Uco Valley.

On the palate, the 2021 vintage showcases refined structure, marked by bright acidity, supple tannins, and a core of fresh red and black fruit. Its linear precision is balanced by an underlying mineral tension, leading to a long, layered finish filled with notes of spice, graphite, and forest floor — a true reflection of El Cepillo’s limestone-rich soils.

Aged in a combination of used French oak barrels and large foudres, the wine maintains a strong sense of purity and varietal expression, with the oak offering nuance and texture rather than overt influence.

This wine pairs effortlessly with elegant, earthy cuisine. It is an excellent companion to venison medallions with juniper reduction, where the wine’s herbal edge and mineral grip meet the intensity of game. It also shines with charcoal-grilled portobello mushrooms or a beef tartare with truffle oil, dishes that underscore the wine’s depth, vibrancy, and aromatic precision.

Created by Alejandro Vigil and Adrianna Catena, the Gran Enemigo El Cepillo Cabernet Franc 2021 is more than a wine — it is a narrative of tradition and transformation, paying tribute to the pioneers who shaped Argentine viticulture. It stands as a timeless expression of place, offering a profound and unforgettable tasting experience.

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