El Enemigo Semillon 2020

One of Argentina's most acclaimed wineries, El Enemigo, has rocketed to superstardom in just a few short vintages. El Enemigo is a joint venture of two big names in Argentine wine, Catena's winemaker Alejandro Vigil and Dr. Catena's younger daughter, Adrianna. These two were drawn together by a passion for creating more approachable and mineral-driven wines that express the nuances of Mendoza's unique terroirs.

A sophisticated and groundbreaking expression of old-vine white wine, the 2020 El Enemigo Semillón is sourced from 70-year-old vineyards in the Agrelo district of Luján de Cuyo. This wine is celebrated for its unique winemaking process, which includes aging for 15 months in French oak barrels with approximately 20% to 35% of the wine maturing under a "veil of flor." It presents a brilliant golden-yellow hue and opens with an intense, complex bouquet of dried honey, grilled pineapple, and citrus zest, layered with nutty undertones of almond, cashew, and a distinct flinty minerality. On the palate, it is medium-to-full-bodied and remarkably creamy, showcasing a voluminous flow balanced by a vibrant, saline acidity and savory notes of green olive and salted butter. The finish is long and elegant, marked by lingering hints of toasted oak and ginger.

94 Points - James Suckling 

This has an intense nose of dried apple, grilled pineapple, cedar, salted butter, waxed lemon, green olive and smoked almond. It’s medium-bodied with a layered and concentrated palate. Saline, toasty and smoky.

92 Points - Wine Enthusiast

Sémillion old vines are being rescued in Argentina to make high-end wines with complexity. This is the case of this white from 50-year-old vines in Luján de Cuyo with a small percentage aged under flor. The nose shows subtle almond and acacia aromas that complement its citrus and saline notes. The medium-weight palate offers almond, grapefruit, pear and elevated acidity, finishing with light smoky notes.