Wines of the Month - December 2019
Posted by Wine Gourmet on
- Felino Mendoza Chardonnay 2018
- Felino Mendoza Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
- Armenian White Blend 2017
- Areni Rind 2015
About the Vineyards
Vino Cobos Imported by Paul Hobbs Wines
Viña Cobos is the inspired vision of Paul Hobbs, a pioneer who took on the challenge of crafting world-class wines on a level never before achieved in Argentina. Over the past twenty years, Hobbs and his team at Viña Cobos have dedicated themselves to seek out, study, and develop vineyard sites in the two premier growing regions of Mendoza: Luján de Cuyo and Valle de Uco. Through meticulous vineyard management and minimal intervention in the winemaking process, the wines express the true essence of their terroir with finesse, complexity, and authenticity. Since the first vintage release in 1999, Viña Cobos has pushed the boundaries of quality for malbec and for Argentina, striving to continuously set the standard for excellence in the region.
Yacoubian-Hobbs
After an unlikely meeting via email in 2003, and ensuing friendship, the Yacoubian brothers invited Paul to visit Armenia. Knowing vaguely of the region's winemaking history, and characteristically curious, Paul traveled with the Yacoubians in 2005, visiting six of the ten provinces, and experiencing first-hand the sheer potential of Armenia's winegrowing regions.
“In early 2003, I ordered a pinot noir during a dinner with my wife. The amazing wine was a 2001 Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir Cuvée Agustina. In my enthusiasm, I wrote an email to the winery. Early the next morning, I discovered that Paul had responded to my email personally. The seeds of an unexpected, unlikely friendship had been sown.” — Viken Yacoubian
Tasting Notes
Felino Mendoza Chardonnay 2018
Produced from 100% Chardonnay grown in the same climate conditions as the Cabernet, this month’s white wine was most notably characterized by excellent climactic conditions with minimal rainfall. This resulted in high yield and great color and concentration of the grapes. Aged in oak for 4 months this chardonnay is pale yellow with green tones in the glass. On the nose there are aromas of white peach, green apple, white flowers and honeysuckle. The flors are fresh with great balance and a long finish.
Felino Mendoza Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Produced from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon these grapes are grown in a semi-desert climate and fermented in stainless steel tanks. It is aged in American oak barrels for 8 months. It has a beautiful dry rub red color with aromas of forest fruits and those spicy notes you expect from Cabernet. The flavors on the palate are round and concentrated, supported by firm tannins indicating maturity and balance.
Armenian White Blend 2017
The high altitude vineyard sites of Aghavnadzor, Vayots Dzor allow these four indigenous varieties to ripen perfectly while maintaining a remarkable freshness, resulting in thrillingly unique layers of aromas and flavors: 80% Voskehat: or "golden berry" is considered the emblematic white variety of Armenia, thriving in high-altitude, rocky soils, known for its longevity with vines living well past 100 years. Thick-skinned berries yield complex and expressive aromatics including the fresh scent of the Armenian Snowdrop flower. 10% Khatuni: thick-skinned berries, gives a notable crispness and unique floral expression to the wine. 5% Qrdi: a late-ripening variety, bringing a beautiful freshness to the blend.
5% Garan Demak: or "sheep's tail" prefers rocky, semi-desert soils; its delicate fruit rounds out the final wine.
The wine is produced in stainless steel tanks and is golden yellow in color with delicate aromas of white lily and magnolia, citrus fruit, quince, white pepper and marked minerality. Bright entrance on the palate with refreshing acidity, followed by a rich mid-palate. The wine lingers on the finish with notes of yellow peach and Armenian apricot.
Areni Rind 2015
In the village of Rind, the Areni grape thrives in rich volcanic and limestone soils. Hot summers are tempered by cooler temperatures at these high elevation sites, and water is provided by the melting snow caps atop Mount Ararat. Our Areni wine expresses the unique characteristics of this ancient variety with the focus and purity that modern winemaking techniques provide.
Produced from 100% Areni, fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks, this wine displays aromas of red berries, black cherries, floral notes of violets, and dried red fruits mirror the flavors, which are both intense and elegant on the palate. A ripe and powerful tannic structure and refreshing acidity bring balance to the fruit flavors, culminating in a complex yet harmonious finish.