2016 Viña Cobos Malbec El Felino
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Tasting notes
The entry-level and highly available 2016 Felino Malbec mixes grapes from different zones of Mendoza—Valle de Uco, Luján de Cuyo and Maipú—but the percentage from Vale de Uco has been growing and is more than half the blend in 2016. It fermented in stainless steel vats with selected yeasts, and 10% of the volume matured in new American oak barrels, but they are slowly introducing maybe 1% French barriques. The idea is to show the fruit more and have the oak as a discrete touch only until bottling. It's floral and fresh, even with some blood orange citrus hints. The palate is gentle, with soft tannins and very good freshness, making it long and very tasty on the finish. 396,000 bottles produced.
Critic scores
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Bright medium red-ruby. A bit bluer and blacker in its fruit character on the nose than the Felino Cabernet, showing a touch of licorice and some peppery lift. Then firmer and darker in the mouth than the Cabernet; less herbal, denser and slightly sweeter than that wine but still with good acidity and lift. Ultimately a bit riper and more convincing on the back end.
About the producer
Viña Cobos is a pioneering producer in Mendoza, known for being the first Argentinian estate to produce a 100-point wine. Founded and run by star California winemaker Paul Hobbs, Viña Cobos has been instrumental in raising the profile of fine wine in Argentina.