2009 Cobos Bramare Cabernet Lujan de Cuyo Mendoza

Inky, concentrated, well-structured Cabernet made in a Napa Valley meets Mendoza style. Plum, cassis, lead pencil and Asian spices are the dominant flavours here, framed by lots of new oak. It's something of an international wine, but it's a very well made one with the concentration to develop in bottle.

Bright ruby-red. Black cherry, cassis, licorice, menthol and bitter chocolate on the nose, along with some sexy oak tones. Dense and rich, with slightly elevated alcohol but good harmonious acidity to the black cherry, brown spice and mocha flavors. Plenty of sexy oak here but not at all heavy. Finishes with refined tannins and ripe notes of black cherry and chocolatey oak.

The 2009 Bramare Cabernet Sauvignon Lujan de Cuyo is narrower on the palate in comparison to the Malbec cuvees. Nevertheless, it is a deep, savory, nicely proportioned wine that would be twice as expensive if it said Napa Valley on the label. This velvety-textured Cabernet will evolve for 1-2 years but can be approached now. The new releases are further confirmation that Vina Cobos is one of Argentina's great producers.

Coffee, chocolate and intense cassis aromas with dried herbs. Serious structure and weight packed with long, densely layered fruit. A glimpse of Argentina's high- end Cabernet potential.