Vina Cobos Felino Mendoza Malbec

If one could draw up a region to make wines in the New World Style, it would look a lot like Mendoza, in Argentina’s high Andean foothills. At altitudes between 2000 and 5000 feet, vineyards reliably get bright sunlight and huge diurnal temperature variation. In this dry place, water is plentiful from annual snowmelt in the Andes, allowing precisely controlled irrigation.

This exquisite Malbec shows an attractive ruby red color with violet hues, very good intensity and brightness. The black berries aromas; together with notes of graphite, tobacco and vanilla, make it very elegant. A delightful wine with herbal notes to freshly cut oregano and rosemary. The nose promises a robust wine, which is accomplished with a good entrance in the palate and firm, sweet tannins, as well as a long finish.

A big, structured red like the Vina Cobos will find its best pairing with meat. While it can go with chicken or pork, beef and lamb will offer the robust flavors and marbling to balance the wine’s intensity. A little smoke and char from the grill will complete the pairing.