Price Drop: El Enemigo Syrah Viognier 2019

The addition of Viognier to Syrah is a classic technique borrowed from France's Northern Rhône region, particularly Côte-Rôtie. The white Viognier grapes are co-fermented with the red Syrah, adding floral aromatics, enhanced colour stability, and a silky texture that softens the wine's tannins. This traditional blending method creates more complexity and elegance than Syrah alone, resulting in a wine that's both powerful and refined.

El Enemigo has earned recognition as one of Mendoza's most innovative producers by focusing on varietals beyond the typical Malbec, particularly excelling with Cabernet Franc and international blends like this Syrah-Viognier. Their approach combines traditional winemaking techniques with Argentina's unique terroir, creating wines that reflect both Old World sophistication and New World fruit intensity. The consistently high ratings across multiple critics demonstrate their commitment to quality across their entire portfolio.

Serve this wine at cellar temperature (16-18°C) in large Bordeaux-style glasses to allow the concentrated black fruit and spice aromas to fully develop. Decanting for 30-60 minutes will help soften the structure and reveal the tobacco and mineral notes. The wine's power and concentration make it ideal for pairing with grilled red meats, game, or aged cheeses that can match its intensity.

The slate notes reflect the mineral-driven terroir of Mendoza's high-altitude vineyards, where rocky soils impart distinctive earthy characteristics to the wine. The pepper flavours are classic markers of quality Syrah, indicating proper ripeness and varietal expression. Together with the blackberry fruit, these flavours create a complex profile that balances power with finesse, showing how Argentina's climate allows for both fruit concentration and mineral complexity.

While this wine is certainly approachable now given its excellent critic scores, the 2019 vintage represents a wine in its prime drinking window. The concentrated structure suggests it has good aging potential for another 5-8 years, during which the tobacco and spice notes will become more integrated. However, the balance between fruit and tannins means it's equally enjoyable today, especially when paired with substantial dishes that complement its full-bodied character.