El Enemigo : El Enemigo Chardonnay 2024

Characteristics and tasting tips for El Enemigo Chardonnay 2024

Tasting

Nose

The nose is complex and refined, pairing aromas of fresh pear, ripe pineapple and star fruit with floral notes of acacia. Touches of hazelnut, nougat and chalk add a mineral dimension, while subtle herbaceous and briny nuances complete the bouquet, underscored by discreet oak with hints of caramel.

Palate

On the palate, the wine is dry and taut, driven by a pronounced salinity that gives structure to the whole. The full, slightly creamy texture gives way to a sense of freshness without any heaviness. The long, persistent finish closes on a note reminiscent of cashew, accompanied by herbaceous touches that prolong the tasting experience.

Food and wine pairings

This wine is an ideal match for creamy soft cheeses, seafood and grilled fish, as well as poultry. It also pairs beautifully with lightly spiced dishes or risottos, where its texture and freshness bring a lovely balance.

A Mendoza Chardonnay crafted by El Enemigo under a veil of flor

The estate

El Enemigo, the flagship brand of Bodega Aleanna, founded in 2008 in Mendoza, Argentina, was born from the partnership between historian Adrianna Catena and winemaker Alejandro Vigil, who is also chief winemaker at Bodega Catena Zapata. Still led today by this same duo, with Constanza Hartung overseeing day-to-day operations, the estate has made a name for itself with its experimental approach to terroir, working several high-altitude plots in Mendoza, including Gualtallary, El Cepillo, Agrelo and Los Chacayes. El Enemigo has built a strong international reputation, notably thanks to its critically acclaimed Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay.

The vineyard

The grapes for this Chardonnay come from plots in Gualtallary, in the Tupungato area of the Uco Valley in Mendoza, at an altitude of around 1,470 metres. The vines are planted on deep, stony limestone soils, with a high planting density of close to 10,000 vines per hectare. This altitude, combined with the wide temperature swings between day and night, helps preserve pronounced acidity while ensuring good ripeness in the grapes.

The vintage

The 2024 vintage was marked by generally warm conditions in Mendoza, which led the winemaker to adapt the ageing process in order to preserve the wine's freshness and aromatic tension.

Winemaking and ageing

El Enemigo Chardonnay 2024 is vinified in 500-litre French oak barrels, 35% of which are new, with fermentation carried out by indigenous yeasts at a controlled temperature of around 18°C for approximately 40 days. Ageing then continues for 12 months in the same barrels, under a veil of flor that developed particularly strongly in this warm vintage, lending the wine a saline dimension and a characteristic dryness.

Grape variety

This wine is made from Chardonnay.