2013 Cobos Bramare VD Malbec Touza Vineyard Mendoza

The Touza Vineyard is in Las Compuertas, just north of the Mendoza River. It's a cooler site that produces wines with what Andrea Marchiori calls "a lot of force". This has attractive pepper spice, some violets, plenty of sweet oak and the textured tannins that are a feature of the Cobos style. The ripe black fruits are underpinned by chalky acidity. 2016-22.

The floral character here is very persuasive with lots of dark fruits too. Black cherries as well. Some coffee and orange peel undertones. Smoked meat. Full to medium body, linear and focused with tangy acidity. Drink now.

Saturated ruby. Sexy woodsmoke and pepper nuances add interest to fruit aromas of blackberry and cassis. Juicy and energetic, with subtle peppery acidity giving shape and lift to the dark berry flavors. Conveys the inner-mouth verve of the best examples from this cooler growing season--and the relatively cool site. The rising finish features suave but firm, dusty tannins. I'd give this a couple years in the cellar.

Spicy and luscious, filled with blackberry, dark currant, plum and cherry tart flavors. Creamy midpalate, with a finish that overflows with chocolate mousse and mocha notes. Mouthfilling richness. Drink now through 2020.