2015 Bramare Chanares Estate Cabernet Franc
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Tasting notes
The first Cabernet Franc I tasted from Viña Cobos comes from their new flagship vineyard in Los Árboles, in Tunuyán. The 2015 Bramare Cabernet Franc Chañares Estate comes from a small plot with more balance, revealing a characteristic varietal profile, clean, pure and precise, with good ripeness despite the high altitude (the vines are planted at some 1,200 meters in altitude). The grapes are hand-harvested very early in the morning, and the destemmed grapes fermented in small stainless steel vats with neutral yeast. The wine matured for 18 months in French oak barrels, some 65% new. It's spicy and a little smoky, with a creamy touch, perhaps from the barrels. They wanted a Cabernet Franc with identity and waited until they had a wine they were happy with. Stylistically, this is closer to something from Saint-Émilion than from the Loire Valley. Only 3,40 bottles were produced in this first vintage.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
(14.6% alcohol; from vines planted at an altitude of 1,200 meters): Bright medium ruby. Captivating violet lift to the aromas of crushed blackberry, boysenberry, bitter chocolate and wild herbs. An exciting Cabernet Franc, not especially broad or expansive but impressively dense, powerful and a bit youthfully imploded. At once medicinal and sweet, boasting shocking lift in the mouth. The flavors of black and purple berries, licorice and minerals are more St. Emilion than Loire Valley. Finishes tight, with strong, broad, building tannins. This reminded me of a wine from Vérité.
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.