Summer time is a great time for Malbec, its bright and complex flavors are so pleasing. Yet there are so many to choose from, with the vast popularity that Malbecs of Argentina have enjoyed over the last decade.
We look to the story when we are selecting, and of course an attractive label, this one has both, a great label and good story to tell. The name Felino, feline, brings images of slinking wild Pampas with piercing eyes. It is the creation of an international partnership of Argentinean Andrea Marchiori, her French husband Luis Barraud and Californian Paul Hobbs, all with great love and talent for the wine.
The Wine: Malbec, Felino, by Vina Cobos $$
The Food: Summer BBQ
The Place: Our backyard
Andrea, whose father Nico Marchiori owned and worked the lands where this wine is made, followed her fathers footsteps and gained her degree in oenology in 1996. She then went on to work with the famous Argentinean vineyard Norton.
Her attraction and marriage to Luis Barraud, whose French family settled in Argentina four generations ago and had been involved in the wine industry all that time, was a match made in heaven.
In 1997 they traveled together to California to broaden their winemaking knowledge. It was there they met Paul Hobbs, a man highly regarded for his great ability, innovation and pioneering spirit, in creating uniquely wonderful wines. This completed the triumvirate went on to create Viña Cobos.
Sixteen years later Vino Cobos produces many award wining wines from four vineyards at three levels of premium quality wines, Cobos, Bramare and Felino.
1999 was the first harvest year of the first Cobos Malbec wine
making. The worked through 2005 improving the lands and the vines and in that year set out to build their own winery at Perdriel,
Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza Province, facingMarchiori Vineyard at the foot of the Andes. To their proud yet humble joy they produced in this facility in 2006.
The Viña Cobos Felino Malbec has “a nutty character and ripe red and black fruit. A certain dark, chocolaty richness, with good fruit and good tannins, and a lively acid structure. Very good quality and silky texture.” Winemaker
Wine Advocate gave the wine a 91 point rating in 2010 and said “Felino Malbec sports an inviting perfume of cedar, rose petal, spice box, incense, and black cherry. In the glass it opens to reveal a savory, succulent wine with excellent volume and length. This pleasure-bent Malbec…”
Hard to believe it can be purchased for just $13-$16.
Things to do, places to see, with food and booze
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