Paul Hobbs has the touch with Chardonnay. The 2007 Felino Chardonnay from a vintage that Hobbs calls “dicey because of rain”, was 70% fermented in stainless steel and 30% in barrel. It is medium gold-colored with a bouquet of toasty apple, poached pear, and tropical fruit aromas. Smooth and seamless on the palate, it has surprising depth, ripe flavors, and a pure finish. Drink this awesome bargain over the next two years. Vina Cobos is Paul Hobbs’ winery in Mendoza. He is better known (at least for the moment) to USA connoisseur/collectors for his namesake winery in Napa Valley which has received many accolades (including 100-point scores from Robert Parker) for its Cabernets, Pinot Noirs, and Chardonnays. What is less well known is that Hobbs is a pioneer in fine wine production in Argentina, having started there in 1988 with Nicolas Catena. Senor Catena gives Hobbs much credit for the success of Catena-Zapata’s Chardonnay program. He has since extended his consulting efforts both in Argentina and Chile but the capstone of Hobbs’ work is Vina Cobos which began in 1998 and moved into its own winery facility in 2007. The first vintage of the top-of-the-line Cobos Malbec Marchiori Vineyard was 1998 but it was ruined by rain and never sold in the USA. 2000 and 2001 were not up to par, 2000 being the El Nino year and 2001 being too dilute, resulting in their declassification.Importer: Paul Hobbs Imports, Sebastopol, CA; tel. (707) 824-9879

Quite ripe, with toasty fig, pear and hazelnut notes backed by a lingering finish of butter and candied citrus peel. For fans of the style. Drink now. 1,388 cases made, 1,345 cases imported.??–JM??Region: Argentina / Mendoza Select to Add