From James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 4/27/01:
92 points. This is the debut release for this winery, headed up by California's Paul Hobbs. Hobbs is no stranger to South America, however, having consulted for Bodegas Esmeralda and Valdivieso, and currently consulting for Chile's Viña MontGras and its new Ninquén project. With Viña Cobos, Hobbs plans to focus on small lots of vineyard-designated Malbec, Argentina's best-performing varietal. The Cobos line will expand beginning with the 2001 vintage. As with most high quality, small-production wines, there's a premium to pay. But if you have the wherewithal to track this down, you'll come across a wine that is reminiscent of an Alvaro Palacios Priorat or the Martinelli Jackass Zinfindel. It's heady, but elegant, with palate-staining blackberry and raspberry flavors, and gorgeous spice notes. As with the other Malbecs from Argentina we've seen in the past year, this wine helps continue the trend of increasing quality of this burgeoning region. Learn more about Cobos.