Vina Cobos Vinculum Chardonnay 2019  £45.00

Vina Cobos Vinculum Chardonnay 

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.

100% Chardonnay from vineyards in the Tupungato and Tunayán in the Valle de Uco, Mendoza, located between 330 and 3845 feet asl in a semi-desert climate. The soils are heterogeneous, with sand and rocky patches. Vines are planted on a steep slope, providing drainage for the soils, and the cool nights contribute to even fruit ripening.

After a traditional white wine fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel, the wine is aged for 12 months in new French oak (18%) in combination with a steel tank (82%). A proportion of the wine, around 15% underwent malolactic fermentation. Bottle unfined.

An intense yellow with green tones, on the nose this wine shows notes of white flowers, green apple, pear and white chocolate hints. The palate is intense, with plenty of minerality and a nice structure leading towards the long finish. Try with roasted or marinated grilled chicken and vegetables, or pasta with a creamy sauce.