One of the premier wine brands out of Argentina, Viña Cobos is a project by famed vintner Paul Hobbs, who was the founding partner and winemaker which began in the late 1980s. In 1989, Paul Hobbs visited Mendoza for the first time. He drove over the Andes from Chile with his longstanding friend Jorge Catena, brother of the famous Nicolas Catena, and was in love with place, the people, but also with the potential to make great wine. He began experimenting with wild fermented Chardonnay and then with the variety that would become Argentina's calling card - Malbec. His first 10 barrel vintage of Malbec persuaded the American press of the potential of this grape. Paul sources for the most distinguished regions in Luján de Cuyo and Valle de Uco from sites that utilize sustainable farming methods.
I loved the new wines by Vina Cobos. Do not miss out on the incredible new 2020 Viña Cobos ‘Bramare Lujan de Cuyo’ Malbec (OB, 94) which is wonderfully concentrated and shows a hedonistic bent, with bright underlying tension. Learn more about these fantastic wines at vinacobos.com and here are my reviews of the new wines by Vina Cobos.
2021 Viña Cobos ‘Vinculum’ Chardonnay- The 2021Viña Cobos‘Vinculum’ offers bright Japanese pear and starfruit tones on the nose with baking spice dusted sourdough bread. The palate shows nice flinty accents alongside a smooth mouthfeel. Finishing long, this is delicious Chardonnay that will cellar well over the next eight years. Drink 2023-2030- 91
2019 Viña Cobos ‘Bramare Valle de Uco’ Malbec-Coming from high elevation sites, the San Carlos and Tupungato vineyards, this was stored for 19 months in 30% new Oak (French and American) before bottling. This is intense and delicious Malbec with creosote, wet stone, wild blackberry and huckleberry notes on the palate. Generous and broad-shouldered, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2023-2033- 93
2020 Viña Cobos ‘Bramare Lujan de Cuyo’ Malbec- This beuatiful new Cobos Malbec was stored for 18 months in French and American oak barrels (22% new) before bottling. This is dense, layered and wonderfully hedonistic on the palate. Blueberry compote, stony minerals, roasted venison and scorched earth flavors combine with the fantastic underlying verve. Full-bodied, this beauty will live on for a decade or more — but is impossible to resist now. Drink 2023-2035- 94
2018 Viña Cobos ‘Vinculum’ Malbec- Inky in the glass, the 2018 ‘Vinculum’ Malbec displays black raspberry and violets on the nose with shades of tar and milk chocolate. The palate is fresh and concentrated with loads of black and blue fruits alongside menthol and stony accents. Delicious now, this will cellar well over the next ten years. Drink 2023-2033- 93