2021 El Enemigo Chardonnay Mendoza
97JS
94DS
94RP
94VN
93TA
$22.99
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97
James Suckling
Reviewed February 2023A hint of flint and gunpowder with waxed lemon, oyster shell, mango and salted green apples. Quite a textured, saline expression of chardonnay with tangy flavors and a mineral drive. Full-bodied and reductive with phenolic support. Savory, saline and mouthwatering finish. Love the austerity here. Drink or hold.
Professional Reviews
94
Descorchados
The chardonnays from Gualtallary, especially those that come from calcareous soils, as is the case with this El Enemigo, tend to be sharp, with the herbal and refreshing flavors of the mountains, but also with the firm texture full of sharpness that the calcium carbonate gives and that immediately differentiates them from other examples of the variety from lower altitudes in other Mendoza vineyards. There are plenty of ripe white-fruit flavors and mineral tones here, and the body is powerful enough for sea urchins. This comes from Gualtallary, from a vineyard at an altitude of 1,470 meters.
94
Wine Advocate
The 2021 Chardonnay was phenomenal, way above the expectations for the price point. It was produced with pristine grapes from Gualtallary that in the cool 2021 vintage achieved 13.5% alcohol but kept a low pH of 3.05 and 7.7 grams of acidity. It matured in oak barrels that were not topped up and let to develop a veil of flor yeast. The barrels were 500-liter ones, and despite 35% of them being new, the wine doesn't feel marked by the wood. It has the chalky texture of the limestone soils. Superb! This is a bargain that is approachable now, but it should also develop nicely in bottle. (LG)
94
Vinous
The 2021 Chardonnay hails from Gualtallary, Uco Valley. It was aged up to 12 months in used 500L French oak barrels with a little flor. Yellow with a golden sheen. The nose presents enticing dried fruit and chamomile aromas with hazel and other nutty notes against an oaky backdrop. The palate has a lean, dry character, with a broad, vibrant mouthfeel establishing a surprising balance between the dry texture and nimble flow. A stylishly distinctive mountain Chardonnay. (JH)
Staff Reviews
SB
Scott Beckerley
Scott Beckerley
A perennial favorite of mine and (luckily!) of our customers, as well. A great alternative to California Chardonnay. Tends toward the crisper side with green and yellow fruits (apple and pear), as well as background tropical fruit. Clean and bright finish with a light touch of roasted nuts, followed by generous minerals and sea salt. There are even some light savory elements. Hardly a surprise that this scores highly with the wine critics.
Notes
This is the best value Chardonnay from South America, maybe the world, for the last 5 years. No Chardonnay has received as many great reviews at such a great price. A collaboration between longtime Catena winemaker Alejandro Vigil and the youngest Catena daughter, Adrianna, Bodegas Aleanna has been receiving a massive amount of critical acclaim over the past several years for their extraordinary wines. The "El Enemigo" Chardonnay is a powerful wine, with fruit, structure, and acidity all in balance. Interestingly enough, a little bit of flor resides in the barrels where this wine ages.
Details
| Origin | Argentina |
|---|---|
| Type/Varietal | Chardonnay |
| Alcohol Content | 13.5% |
| SKU | 1740910 |