Tasted March 2010

I've had a few of Paul Hobbs' Argentine beauties before and I was as excited as an athletic kid on Sports Day when I heard we'd be getting some into the shop. Mr Hobbs was one of the winemakers who revolutionised the Argentine wine industry twenty years ago along with Nicolas Catena (2009 Decanter Man of the Year, no less) and his wines are regarded as some of if not the best in all of Argentina. His Bramare range, particularly those from Lujan de Cuyo, provides world-class wines for prices you won't have to sell your house for.

Grape Varieties: 100% Malbec.

Region: Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina.

Soil: A semi-desert climate with low-nutrient, stony soils.

Winemaking: Complete malolactic fermentation - aged for 18 months in 38% new American Oak after 28-30 days maceration.

ABV: 14.5%

Tasting Note

I'll have to keep this brief because otherwise I will go on forever! The colour is a completely opaque purple/black and the legs on this wine are massive. On the nose there's a cornucopia of aromas. Thick and dense black fruit mingle with crushed stone, tar and more delicate floral touches. Though indulgent, the nose is still very focused. On the palate, this wine is amazing - lush and powerful coulis-like fruits and chewy tannins make a wine with the texture and flavour of crushed Parma-Violet sweets. You can make out tobacco, cassis and spice, reigned in at the finish by a streak of minerality. Big but very drinkable. I gave this baby a long time in a decanter - any time it gets in glass or decanter will be rewarded.

Cellaring: This is just beginning to drink well now, and as Malbec as we now know it hasn't been around for that much time, we simply don't know how some of these wines will age. Wine Spectator say to drink this through 2012 whereas Wine Advocate reckon there's 30 years in these wines. I side with the optimism - it's very well structured and ticks all the right boxes for extended ageing.

If you like this, why not try… The nearest comparison would be the very popular Cadus by Nieto Senetiner, which is probably even more indulgent but with not quite as much mineral or focus. Alternatively the Pascual Toso Malbec offers those fruit-flavours I myself would die for at a price not likely for that to be necessary.