2010 Cobos Volturno Marchiori Vineyard Mendoza Viña Cobos

The 2010 Cobos Volturno is a blend of 77% Cabernet Sauvignon and 23% Malbec cropped on May 5 and 7. It comes from 80- and 15-year-old vines respectively from the Marchiolo Vineyard, then raised in new Taransaud oak for 18 months. It has a dense nose of blackberry, Christmas pudding, griottes, eau-de-vie and blueberries that all vie for attention like yapping puppies, the oak nicely assimilated into the fruit profile. The palate is succulent and fleshy on the entry with, again, a slight metallic edge tincturing the fruit. The finish is very sweet and demonstrative with grippy, sweet, ripe fruit but lacks the degree of delineation of some of their peers. Drink 2014- 2025.

Full, deep ruby-red. Polished aromas of blackberry, violet and licorice with sexy oak tones of bitter chocolate, cocoa powder and espresso. Wonderfully velvety and rich, with outstanding verve to the primary black fruit, violet and licorice flavors. Lush but balanced wine; dense but nicely extracted and harmonious. Finishes with outstanding rising length, well- integrated new oak and noble tannins. Offers a lot of immediate sex appeal but this will be even better in five years.

This tribute blend of 77% Cabernet and 23% Malbec is piercing and potent on the nose, with oaky berry, cassis, leather and herbal aromas that never go over the top. A concentrated, slightly syrupy feeling palate houses oaky, rich flavors of maple, chocolate, molasses and berry fruits, while the full finish offers more than its share of toast, espresso and caramel-like sweetness. Drink through 2018.

Rich yet silky, this modern red balances cassis and macerated plum notes on a full, cream-tinged frame. The finish turns out hints of husky spice, ash and almond skin. Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. Drink now through 2016. -NW