THE Paul Hobbs?

A name held in the pantheon of the most accomplished winemakers. A guy responsible for countless 95-100 point vinous pleasures.

And today we bestow upon you one of his crown jewels - a 97 point, direct-import, Argentinian beauty at an unprecedented, best-in-universe 44% off!! That’s $60 off the original price!

Paul Hobbs is obsessive about vineyard management and seems to have a sixth sense for bringing out the truest nature of terroir from whatever place he’s working with. He boasts a wealth of experience, working as winemaker for Opus One and Robert Mondavi, and consulting for Peter Michael, Lewis Cellars, Guarachi, etc., and many top wineries around the world, particularly in South America.

Which brings us to this stunner. Bodegas y Viñedos Pascual Toso is an institution in Argentina, and they brought Hobbs on to level up their game in the year 2000. And level up he did. This blend of 73% Malbec and 27% Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the very best grapes from the best vineyards in Barrancas, raised in very expensive French Oak with no expense spared. Buckle up, it’s a good one…

In the glass, it’s opaque as a starless night until about halfway to the edge where a brilliant magenta-purple emerges. The nose is all about dazzling blackberries, boysenberry, licorice, dark chocolate, violets, smoky minerals, and vanilla. Prepare your taste buds for massive, saturating fruit, and layers of savory goodness. It’s just a total cocktail of fruit-driven complexity and raw power. Kind of like you held down every option on the Big Gulp machine. Candied blueberry, Madagascar vanilla bean, toasty oak, sweet tannins. Plump, luscious and shamelessly enjoyable but also impeccably integrated, with ripe fruits checked by a lively tannic backbone. The finish just does not seem to quit, building layers of complexity, with sexy, expensive French oak nuances making their presence known. This begs for an equally impressive steak - some A5 Wagyu perhaps? Heck, you could fix up a homemade Smashburger or beef Top Ramen - whatever you choose, you will be in a happy, happy place with this wine.

If this were one of Paul Hobbs’ Napa Cabs, you’d be paying well north of $200.

And if you’re still reading, there’s one more thing to know… there’s VERY little to go around… go on, we can’t click for ya!

97 Points – Decanter

“Stunning cassis, fruit cake, cocoa and gentle vanilla aromas. On the palate it is intense with ripe black fruit, restrained spice and well-integrated oak; overall length and balance can’t be faulted. Very impressive.”