Viña Cobos, Felino Chardonnay, Luján de Cuyo & Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina, 2023

Producer Profile

In 1989, Paul Hobbs visited Mendoza for the first time. Driving over the Andes from Chile, he fell in love with the place and the people, but also with its 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 over 20 years later, continues to make wines that are authentic expressions of the terroir they come from. In his exploration of the different terroirs across Mendoza, Paul looks to the most distinguished regions of 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

Sourced from vineyards in the Uco Valley (Gualtallary, Los Chacayes and Villa Bastías) and Luján de Cuyo (Agrelo), planted at around 1,000 metres (3,300 feet) above sea level. The region benefits from a semi-desert climate, ideal for producing concentrated, expressive fruit.

Winemaking

This Chardonnay is whole-bunch pressed and fermented using selected yeasts. Malolactic fermentation takes place in barrel with indigenous bacteria, adding texture and complexity. A portion of the wine is aged in oak barrels, while the remainder is matured in stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness and purity of fruit.

Tasting Note

Yellow pale straw colour with green tones. On the nose, it presents pear, green apple and citrus. It is clean, with good mid palate, crispy acidity, nice structure and long finish.

Food matching

Perfect with seafood, soft cheeses and charcuterie boards, appetizers and grilled vegetables.