Viña Cobos, Bramare Appellation Cabernet Sauvignon, Luján de Cuyo, Argentina, 2018

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

Luján de Cuyo, is known historically as the traditional ‘prime zone’ for wine-growing in Mendoza. Its high elevation location (3,250 to 3,470 ft), in combination with a semi-desert climate and low-nutrient gravelly soils provide ideal conditions for cultivation of high quality fruit.

Winemaking

Aged 18 months in French oak barrels, 20% in first use. Bottled unfined.

Oak Ageing

Time: 18 months
Type: French and American
% wine oaked: 100
% new oak: 20

Tasting Note

A bright ruby red colour with magenta highlights. Aromas of sweet spice, red pepper and notes of vanilla. Round, creamy tannins with a wonderfully full flavoured mid palate.

Food Matching

Steak made with crushed black peppercorns, blue cheese and desserts with red fruits.

Awards

Tim Atkin Argentina Report 2021 94 Points
Part of a superb set of new releases under the Bramare label, this is Luján de Cuyo Cabernet Sauvignon that marries fruit from Agrelo, Perdriel and Vistalba. Perfumed, focused and deftly wooded, with blackcurrant leaf aromas, piercing cassis and bramble fruit, sinewytannins and a poised, nuanced finish. 2023-3, TA, 94 Points, May 2021.