El Enemigo Chardonnay

There are some chance encounters that are truly a blessing. This was certainly the case for Adrianna Catena, daughter of one of the great ambassadors of modern Argentine wine, and Alejandro Vigil, his chief winemaker. They met in London in 2009 when Adrianna, a history student at Oxford University, bumped into Alejandro at the Decanter Man of the Year award ceremony for Nicolás Catena (her father and his boss). From then on, a beautiful friendship emerged where the historian and winemaker recognised that they shared the same tastes and concerns. This is how Bodegas Aleanna was born, a shared winemaking project that works to respect history and tradition. Under the name El Enemigo, they make great wines that are the result of minimal intervention and maximum expression. A globally recognised effort that has put the Mendoza wine region in the spotlight.

Among the different wines they produce, El Enemigo Chardonnay comes from vineyards in Gualtallary (Tupungato) at an altitude of 1,470 metres above sea level. The Chardonnay vines are planted in deep, rocky, calcareous soil, and they are cultivated using respectful agriculture and limited yields. When the grapes reach optimum ripeness, they are harvested manually and taken straight to the winery. Vinification takes place in 500-litre French oak barrels (35% new) with native yeasts at a controlled temperature of 18ºC for 40 days. The wine is then aged under a yeast cap for 12 months in the same barrels.

So, with Alejandro’s skill and Adrianna’s wisdom, they show us that Argentina is not just a land of reds and that many other grapes can offer splendid wines in this area. El Enemigo Chardonnay is the perfect combination of French barrels and organic aging. An unusual, complex and saline white wine that is worthy of praise.