Red Wine El Enemigo La Esperanza Single Vineyard Bonarda 2019. El Enemigo was founded by historian Adrianna Catena, who is also Nicolas Catena’s youngest daughter, and Catena Zapata’s chief winemaker Alejandro Vigil in 2009. These two legendary figures on the Argentine wine scene came together over a mutual love for literature and philosophy, and decided to create their own wine label that would offer a unique taste of Argentina’s exceptional terroir and its Old World winemaking heritage. Today the brand is responsible for many of the most exciting wines coming out of Argentina, including this sensational single vineyard Bonarda. Bonarda is little-known in Europe these days, but it has a special place in Argentina where it’s considered the nation’s second red wine after Malbec. La Esperanza is a very special 150 year old vineyard that was about to be uprooted when it was discovered by Alejandro Vigil. Luckily he was able to save 5 hectares from which he makes a few hundred bottles of this wine each vintage. Once in the winery this precious fruit is vinified with wild yeasts and the young wine ages in large foudres that are over 100 years old. The result is a remarkably elegant and vibrant red that’s bursting with luscious red cherries, plums and blackberries as well as hints of dark chocolate. A charming wine to serve with tomato-based dishes thanks to the refreshing acidity, smooth tannins, and bright fruit flavours.
2019
Red Wine El Enemigo La Esperanza Single Vineyard Bonarda 2019
Red Wine Emilio Moro 2019. This is the iconic wine of the Emilio Moro estate and offers an excellent introduction to the classic red wines of the Ribera del Duero region. The wine is made with 100% Tinto Fino, the local name for Tempranillo, sourced from the Moro family’s 15-25 year old vines. Following vinification the wine is then aged in 50% American and 50% French oak barrels for 12 months before it is ready for bottling. On the nose there are enticing notes of cassis, crushed dark cherries, and baking spice, while the first sip reveals a full body, well-developed structure, and smooth tannins. The intensity of flavour, long finish, and excellent balance between fruit, freshness and structure means this wine will continue to age and develop over the next five years or so. It is also ideal to enjoy right now alongside a plate of fresh pasta served with a rich tomato ragu or a steak served with fries. The Moro family are today recognised as one of the leading winemaking families in Ribera del Duero. Today the estate is run by the third generation, José and Javier Moro, along with their father, Emilio, who work 5 hectares of vineyards planted by their grandfather in Pesquera de Duero.
2019
Red Wine Emilio Moro Malleolus 2019. One of the top names in Ribera del Duero today, Emilio Moro has been crafting intense, fruity red wines from the region’s classic Tempranillo grape since the 1970s. The estate is now in the hands of the third generation of the Moro family represented by José and Javier Moro along with their father, Emilio, who work 5 hectares of vineyards planted by their grandfather in Pesquera de Duero. The Emilio Moro Malleolus takes its name from the Latin word meaning small vineyard”. The wine is crafted from 100% Tinto Fino, as the Tempranillo grape is known locally in Ribera del Duero, which is harvested from small plots planted 25-75 years ago. The intense continental climate here in the Ribera del Duero ensures that the grapes are intensely-flavoured yet balanced with freshness and smooth tannins. The focus on small vineyard plots helps to give a distinctive purity to the fruit character which is enhanced by a lengthy 28 day maceration period to extract the full depth of flavour from the grape skins. The young wine then spends 18 months of ageing in French oak barrels to integrate the different components and add delicious toasty and spicy hints to the dark fruit flavours.
2019