Winemaker Notes
Radiating a bright red hue accentuated by dark undertones. Aromas of Andean herbs, accompanied by notes of pink pepper, gooseberries, and subtle hints of mint and cinnamon. The palate experience is precise and focused, revealing an angular structure supported by tight tannins.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A clear standout in the Viña Cobos portfolio is the 2021 Chañares Estate Malbec, derived from vines planted in 2007 in sandy-loam soils with calcareous and gravel content. It fermented in open-top stainless tanks and underwent an 18-month élevage in 50% new French barrique. A pure, complex, spice-driven bouquet accented with blue fruits, anise and purple flower aromas is followed by a silky yet dense palate rendered with admirable refinement and precision. It concludes with a multifaceted finish that melds vibrant acidity, ultra-refined tannins and a beautiful retronasal perfume that lingers with remarkable length. This was my favorite wine in the Viña Cobos lineup, and I suspect it will develop beautifully in bottle over the coming decade.
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Vinous
The 2021 Malbec Chañares Estate was crafted from grapes sourced from Paul Hobbs' Chañares vineyard in the Uco Valley. Chañares is the first vineyard Hobbs purchased in Argentina after many years of making wine in the country. This wine showcases notes of mountain herbs, plum and cherry, complemented by hints of violet, lavender and a fine layer of oak. Beautifully textured, rich and intense on the palate, it features plush tannins and a juicy flow that lingers long, harmonized wild herb and red fruit notes. This is a nuanced and calibrated Malbec.
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Wine Spectator
Generous and lushly spiced, with clove and peppercorn details to the wild berry core. A slight lift of acidity picks things up and carries them onto the finish around cocoa bean and fresh herbal notes, plus smooth tannins. Drink now through 2034.
Viña Cobos makes wines that are authentic expressions of the terroir from which they come. Paul Hobbs, founding partner and winemaker at Viña Cobos, has worked since 1988 in the exploration of the different terroirs of Mendoza, looking for the most distinguished regions in Luján de Cuyo and the Valle de Uco, to produce wines that uniquely express their origins.
Sustainable farming methods in the vineyard contribute to consistent yields of healthy fruit. In the winery, careful treatment of the grapes and meticulous winemaking techniques result in complex and elegant wines of subtlety and balance.
With the inaugural vintage of Cobos Malbec in 1999, Viña Cobos marked a milestone in viticulture, defying existing standards and firmly positioned Malbec and Argentina on the international wine scene. Since then, our prestigious wines have been recognized around the globe by critics and consumers alike.
Celebrated for its bold flavors and supple texture, Malbec has enjoyed runaway success in Argentina since the late 20th century. The grape originated in Bordeaux, France, where it historically contributed color and tannin to blends. A French agronomist, who saw great potential for the variety in Mendoza’s hot, high-altitude landscape, brought Malbec to Argentina in 1868. Somm Secret—If you’re trying to please a crowd, Malbec is generally a safe bet with its combination of dense fruit and soft tannins.
With a winning combination of cool weather, high elevation and well-draining alluvial soils, it is no surprise that Mendoza’s Uco Valley is one of the most exciting up-and-coming wine regions in Argentina. Healthy, easy-to-manage vines produce low yields of high-quality fruit, which in turn create flavorful, full-bodied wines with generous acidity.
This is the source of some of the best Malbec in Mendoza, which can range from value-priced to ultra-premium. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay also perform well here.