As the best-priced deal among the few dozen 100-point wines we rated during our tastings of nearly 40,000 bottles this year, El Enemigo Cabernet Franc Gualtallary Gran Enemigo Single Vineyard 2019 is an easy choice for our Argentine Wine of the Year.
This cabernet franc-based red from Gualtallary not only represents remarkable value at about $100 but also epitomizes Argentina's unwavering dedication to producing unique wines from extreme, high-altitude terroirs. This is a wine that is nothing short of extraordinary. Far from being sweet and big, it exudes a remarkable sense of place, showing precision, purity and refinement accompanied by a vibrant mineral character and fine austerity. However, with only 7,000 bottles made, it is difficult to find, especially now that it has been rated so highly.
It comes from a vintage that has been greatly lauded by Mendoza winemakers. 2019 was a cool and dry year that provided ideal conditions for crafting exceptional wines, including this Gualtallary standout crafted by Alejandro Vigil.