El Enemigo Cabernet Franc Gran Enemigo Gualtallary 2022 750ml

The firm, structured nature of the 2022 vintage, combined with the move to concrete fermentations, has produced a spectacular wine in the 2022 Gran Enemigo Gualtallary Single Vineyard, which, to an even greater degree than many of its companions on the lineup, will demand time in bottle to fully realize its potential. A vivid, minimalist nose of radiant red fruits and pure stony essence introduces an incredibly dense, concentrated mouthfeel with zero excess weight and the beguiling, nimble quality that characterizes the region’s best expressions. It culminates in a striking finish that echoes the nose’s minimal nature, lingering with a crystalline sense of chalky minerality and ultrarefined tannins, with a complete absence of fruit that in no way feels lacking. There is a stark sophistication here that is quite compelling, and I imagine it will merit an even higher score after at least another five years in the bottle. As with the rest of the range, it was vinified with 40% whole clusters, underwent an extended maceration of around 40 days and matured for 15 months.