2019 Vina Cobos Cobos Malbec

After visiting Argentina in 1989, Californian trail blazer Paul Hobbs became deeply interested in both the terroir and Argentine culture, noticing the unique potential for Malbec and other varietals in the region. After meeting two kindred spirits, Andrea Marchiori and Luis Barraud, they founded Viña Cobos in 1997 and since then there has been no looking back. Utilizing gnarly old vines, careful vineyard selection, very low yields and an unerring empathy for the raw materials, Viña Cobos craft intense yet balanced wines that showcase the elegance and beauty of this region.

Other Reviews....
A compact and polished Cobos with lots of dark fruit, as well as green olives, flowers and stems. Raspberries and forest fruit, too. Full-bodied, very tight and compressed. Melted tannins give great presence and mouth-feel, but the feeling is that they are invisible. It goes on for minutes. Sensational. So sophisticated and thoughtful. An archetypal malbec from Argentina. Better after 2027.
100 points
James Suckling

Vivid purple in the glass, dark chocolate, plum and blackcurrants - quite a savoury edge with floral touches too. Smooth, supple, generous and so delicious. This has crunchy fruit, lively and vibrant with a smooth texture and such great definition of blue and red fruits - blueberries, raspberries and figs. Tannins are finessed with good oak integration giving a hint of spice on the finish. Feels expressive and stylish - still very youthful, it's structured and chiselled yet direct and penetrating. Such purity of expression with excellent acidity - this has an electrifying lifeforce that leaves you wanting more! A worthy addition to the Place de Bordeaux this year. You could drink now but you'll be rewarded by waiting at least five years. The 2019 is a 'textbook vintage' said Paul Hobbs, this is the result of eight individual vinifications that start with a cold maceration before fermenting (25% whole cluster) with indigenous yeasts in tanks. Malolactic happens in barrels before ageing 18 months in French oak (61% new), 225l and 500l.
97 points
Georgina Hindle - Decanter

First year on the Place de Bordeaux for this Malbec from Paul Hobbs, better known for his Napa wines but in fact a presence in Argentina for many decades. Delivers his signature skill, with power and concentration combined with weightlessness. Grainy tannins give a gentle grip, deft and carefully placed, with a ton of juice, blackberry and black cherry fruits and vibrant orange peel, lemongrass and white pepper spice. This is a no-till vineyard with naturally present grasses. Whole cluster, from one of the upper reaches of the Chanares vineyard, granite rock soils with parts of limestone, with long hang time, harvest into April so get cooler nights. 3.6ph, 45% new oak.
96 points
Jane Anson