$130. Cork. IMHO still young - nose and palate of ripe fruit, smooth but tannins on the finish (honestly we expected better relative to price and commercial rating businesses like Wine Advocate and Suckling).
2019 Gran Enemigo Gualtallary Cabernet Franc
Wine Advocate 100:
The incredibly subtle, elegant and austere 2019 Gran Enemigo Gualtallary Single Vineyard reminds me of a great vintage of Lafleur, my favorite Bordeaux, as this is one of the finest vintages for this single-vineyard blend of Cabernet Franc with some 15% Malbec. It develops very slowly in the glass and shows layers and layers of aromas but all in a very subtle way. It also reminds me of the fabulous 2013 that I rated 100 points in 2018, and there has not been such a perfect vintage since then. It has great balance and a silky mouthfeel, with refined, elegant tannins and a long, dry finish with a chalky and salty sensation and no room for sweetness; it's more about herbs, flowers and rocks than anything else.
Suckling 100:
A complex, restrained and deliciously austere cabernet franc with damp earth, oyster shells, blueberries, thyme, rosemary and mushrooms. Super serious and chalky on the palate with lots of dissolved, minerally-textured tannins. Very long and uncompromising! An incredible cabernet franc from Gualtallary by Alejandro Vigil. Extremely pure, mineral and seductive. A fabulous cabernet franc that grows on the palate with remarkable tension and texture. I’d want to drink a bottle now even it can hold extremely well.
The greatest wine this phenomenal producer has ever made.
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Dark ruby hue. Exquisite bouquet of fruit, with aromas of blueberry, pepper, plum, saline, vanilla. Plus body, with plus tannins and plus acid. Superbly balanced and elegant, with a lengthy, memorable finish. Tannins are already well-integrated, but this is something to drink on special occasions. 85% Cabernet Franc, 15% Malbec.
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This has considerable upside in the next 5-10 years but popped and poured it came singing straight out of the bottle.
On the nose: a medley of blackberries, blueberries, tomato leaf, tobacco and cloves
On the palate: the length and finish are nice and long with a distinct note of cloves. Blueberry compote, lovely balanced acidity with notes of plums skins and firm tannins that smoothed out over 2 hours.
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Good now but considerable upside. Black cherry, berries, crushed rocks, a little bit of a roasted something, baked bread, sweet tobacco on the nose but all wrapped up in a seamless velvet package. Plush but not over the top at all on the palate. Nice acidity, hints of spice, plenty of length but not crazy. Nice stuff, looking forward to trying the next one in 10 years or so.
Decanted for 2 hours. Absolutely lovely wine which I'd characterize as "sex in a bottle." There is light to no sediment in the bottle. Medium body with a silky smooth texture. Medium finish with medium acidity. Even if this has long term potential, it's amazing right now although a good pairing with steak. Long term, it could probably be a standalone wine.
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5/5/2024 - brady.lambert Likes this wine: 90 Points
$130. Cork. IMHO still young - nose and palate of ripe fruit, smooth but tannins on the finish (honestly we expected better relative to price and commercial rating businesses like Wine Advocate and Suckling).
2019 Gran Enemigo Gualtallary Cabernet Franc
Wine Advocate 100:
The incredibly subtle, elegant and austere 2019 Gran Enemigo Gualtallary Single Vineyard reminds me of a great vintage of Lafleur, my favorite Bordeaux, as this is one of the finest vintages for this single-vineyard blend of Cabernet Franc with some 15% Malbec. It develops very slowly in the glass and shows layers and layers of aromas but all in a very subtle way. It also reminds me of the fabulous 2013 that I rated 100 points in 2018, and there has not been such a perfect vintage since then. It has great balance and a silky mouthfeel, with refined, elegant tannins and a long, dry finish with a chalky and salty sensation and no room for sweetness; it's more about herbs, flowers and rocks than anything else.
Suckling 100:
A complex, restrained and deliciously austere cabernet franc with damp earth, oyster shells, blueberries, thyme, rosemary and mushrooms. Super serious and chalky on the palate with lots of dissolved, minerally-textured tannins. Very long and uncompromising! An incredible cabernet franc from Gualtallary by Alejandro Vigil. Extremely pure, mineral and seductive. A fabulous cabernet franc that grows on the palate with remarkable tension and texture. I’d want to drink a bottle now even it can hold extremely well.
The greatest wine this phenomenal producer has ever made.
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4/21/2024 - WhooskeyWine Likes this wine: 96 Points
Dark ruby hue. Exquisite bouquet of fruit, with aromas of blueberry, pepper, plum, saline, vanilla. Plus body, with plus tannins and plus acid. Superbly balanced and elegant, with a lengthy, memorable finish. Tannins are already well-integrated, but this is something to drink on special occasions. 85% Cabernet Franc, 15% Malbec.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/8/2024 - chmorc Likes this wine: 92 Points
This has considerable upside in the next 5-10 years but popped and poured it came singing straight out of the bottle.
On the nose: a medley of blackberries, blueberries, tomato leaf, tobacco and cloves
On the palate: the length and finish are nice and long with a distinct note of cloves. Blueberry compote, lovely balanced acidity with notes of plums skins and firm tannins that smoothed out over 2 hours.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/16/2024 - henryfriendly Likes this wine:
Good now but considerable upside. Black cherry, berries, crushed rocks, a little bit of a roasted something, baked bread, sweet tobacco on the nose but all wrapped up in a seamless velvet package. Plush but not over the top at all on the palate. Nice acidity, hints of spice, plenty of length but not crazy. Nice stuff, looking forward to trying the next one in 10 years or so.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (1)
1/13/2024 - karanan Likes this wine: 98 Points
Decanted for 2 hours. Absolutely lovely wine which I'd characterize as "sex in a bottle." There is light to no sediment in the bottle. Medium body with a silky smooth texture. Medium finish with medium acidity. Even if this has long term potential, it's amazing right now although a good pairing with steak. Long term, it could probably be a standalone wine.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment