El Enemigo Cabernet Franc – Substantial

A wine you can really sink your teeth into! The deep, dark and absolutely delicious El Enemigo Cabernet Franc at a great Costco price.

93% Cabernet Franc and 7% Malbec from vineyards at around 4,700 feet of elevation in Gualtallary, Tupungato, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina. The wine spends 16 months in French oak, 20% new, and has less than 5 g/L of residual sugar.

We found the El Enemigo Cabernet Franc for $19.99 at Costco but the average price on wine-searcher is quite a bit more at $26.

21,600 bottles were produced. The estate is owned by Alejandro Vigil (who also makes the wine) and Adrianna Catena. It is imported by Winebow Inc.

As we’ve noted many times in the past, Argentina is about much more than Malbec. And one of the more exciting varietals coming out of this region currently is Cabernet Franc, a variety that we love. We’ll be featuring a number of exceptional examples in the coming weeks.

Up first; however, is a bottle that without Costco’s low price wouldn’t normally fall within our price range. Sure, it’s still just a penny under our limit, but it’s worth every one of those pennies in our opinion.

The 2015 El Enemigo Cabernet Franc begins with a serious, but very attractive aroma of red cherry and dark berry fruit, herbs (but no green pepper), cedar, leather and spice.

Tasting reveals a deep, dark and absolutely delicious wine especially after a couple hours of air. In the mouth you’ll find similar flavors to the nose plus chocolate, a little earthiness, touches of tobacco and vanilla and a burst of black pepper notes that lead into the long, dry, chewy finish.

Ready to buy? See a listing of local retailers selling this wine here or visit your local Costco.