Vina Cobos Bramare Marchiori Malbec 2019  £83.60

Vina Cobos Bramare Marchiori Malbec

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, and 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. Exploring 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 result from meticulous vineyard farming and utmost respect for terroir.

Cane pruned vines, the majority of which are over 50 years old are planted in a traditional furrow irrigated vineyard with well developed deep root systems. The vineyard has deep free-draining soils, with textures that vary from loamy clay to loamy sand, and are slightly alkaline. Deep below, there are layers of pebbles and rounded stones. The vineyard is spur-pruned. The Marchiori Estate is an important part of Viña Cobos' history, Malbec grapes grown in block C2 were the source of the inaugural vintage release, Cobos Malbec 1999.

This Malbec from the Marchiori Vineyard exhibits is a deep-red purplish colour, with a sweet and fruity aroma. Exquisite flavours of red and blackberries, tobacco and liquorice invade the mouth. Sweet tannins and an outstanding volume give complexity and structure, leading to a long and intense aftertaste. Try with barbecued meat (beef, lamb and chicken) blue cheese and desserts with red fruits.

James Suckling 97 Points
So floral and perfumed with purple fruit, mushrooms and stems. Full, rich and round, but with a line of tannins and bright acidity running through the center-palate. Superb finish. 60-year-old vines. Give this three or four years of bottle age. 97 Points, JS, March 2022.