Viña Cobos Bramare Malbec, Chañares Estate, Valle de Uco, Argentina, 2017

Producer Profile

In 1989, Paul Hobbs visited Mendoza for the first time. Driving over the Andes from Chile with his longstanding friend Jorge Catena, brother of the famous Nicolas Catena, he fell in love with the 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 established his own winery, Viña Cobos, in 1999 and 20 years later, Paul continues to make wines that are authentic expressions of the terroir from which they come. In an exploration of the different terroirs across Mendoza Paul looks for the most distinguished regions in Luján de Cuyo and Valle de Uco to produce wines that uniquely express their origins. The winery’s elegant and balanced wines are a result of meticulous vineyard farming and utmost respect for terroir.

Viticulture

This region is characterised by poor, yet free-draining, stony and alluvial soils. The vineyard site has a northern exposure, with a west-east slope encouraging air circulation and healthy vineyard conditions. During berry maturation, average temperature is 14.4ºC. Drip irrigation is used, and with the high permeability of the soil, this system helps control vineyard growth during vegetative development and grape maturation. The vineyard is spur-pruned.

Winemaking

Aging for 18 months in new French oak (65%) in combination with second use oak (35%). Bottled in November 2016. Unfined and unfiltered

Oak Ageing

Time: 18 Months
Type: French Oak Barrels
% wine oaked: 100
% new oak: 65

Tasting Note

Deep red colour with black tones. This Malbec features herbal notes such as thyme, cinnamon, figs, cloves, chocolate and black tobacco. It’s elegant, pure, of great intensity and character.

Food Matching

A succulent wine made to be drunk with succulent meat like a slow roasted leg of lamb.