{"product_id":"2016-el-enemigo-as-bravas-pampa-el-cepillo-malbec","title":"2016 El Enemigo As Bravas Pampa El Cepillo Malbec","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe 2016 El Enemigo As Bravas Pampa El Cepillo Malbec is a powerful yet finely etched expression of high-altitude Mendoza. Sourced from the cool, windswept vineyards of Pampa El Cepillo in the Uco Valley, it captures Malbec’s dark-fruited richness with a vibrancy that’s distinctly Andean. This is a collector-worthy bottling that showcases why El Enemigo has become one of Argentina’s most talked-about producers of premium reds.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the glass, this Malbec shows a deep, inky purple core with a vivid ruby rim, hinting at both concentration and freshness. The nose opens with layered aromas of ripe blackberries, plum compote and black cherry, supported by notes of violets, graphite, cracked pepper and a subtle cedar-spice from barrel aging. Hints of cocoa powder, dried herbs and a touch of mineral dust add complexity as it breathes.\n\nOn the palate, the wine is full-bodied yet beautifully shaped, with a firm backbone of acidity drawn from the cool Pampa El Cepillo climate. Juicy black and blue fruits—think blueberry, blackcurrant and dark plum—are framed by fine-grained tannins and a savoury, stony edge that speaks of the region’s calcareous soils. Subtle notes of espresso, tobacco leaf and baking spice linger on a long, focused finish. The structure and balance of the 2016 vintage give this Malbec excellent aging potential; cellaring for another 5–10 years from now (and possibly longer in ideal conditions) will allow the tannins to soften and the savory, tertiary notes to fully unfold.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePampa El Cepillo lies in the southern Uco Valley of Mendoza, a high-altitude subregion where vineyards sit on alluvial, limestone-influenced soils and benefit from intense sunlight by day and markedly cool nights. This combination yields Malbec with thick skins, vibrant natural acidity and a pronounced mineral line. Grapes for As Bravas are typically hand-harvested in small boxes to protect the fruit, with careful selection done in the vineyard and again at the winery to ensure only perfectly ripe bunches are used. Fermentation generally takes place in small vats or foudres, often with a portion of whole berries to preserve aromatic lift, followed by aging in oak (frequently large-format or seasoned barrels) to add texture and complexity without overwhelming the purity of fruit and terroir expression.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood \u0026amp; Serving\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a serious, food-friendly Malbec that shines alongside richly flavored dishes: think grilled ribeye or flank steak, slow-braised short ribs, lamb shoulder, or venison with roasted root vegetables. It also pairs beautifully with aged hard cheeses, wild mushroom ragù, or charred vegetable dishes with herbs and smoked paprika. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) to highlight its aromatic detail and freshness. Decanting for 1–2 hours is recommended, especially in its current stage of evolution, to allow the tannins to relax and the more complex floral and mineral nuances to fully emerge.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEl Enemigo is a celebrated Argentine project founded by winemaker Alejandro Vigil—long-time chief winemaker at Bodega Catena Zapata—and historian Adrianna Catena. From its inception, El Enemigo set out to challenge preconceptions about Argentine wine by focusing on distinctive terroirs, classical structure and age-worthiness rather than sheer power alone. Working with some of Mendoza’s highest and most characterful sites, including those in the Uco Valley, the estate has garnered international acclaim and high critical scores for its Malbec- and Cabernet-based reds as well as its innovative whites. Today, El Enemigo stands as a benchmark for modern Argentine fine wine, marrying meticulous vineyard work with thoughtful, often traditional winemaking to produce wines of depth, elegance and unmistakable regional identity.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"El Enemigo","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54251930321233,"sku":"GCW-ELEN-16121109","price":135.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0874\/0614\/9969\/files\/2016_El_Enemigo_As_Bravas_Pampa_El_Cepillo_Malbec.png?v=1783442291","url":"https:\/\/bottlehero.com\/products\/2016-el-enemigo-as-bravas-pampa-el-cepillo-malbec","provider":"Bottle Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}