2016 Vina Cobos Felino Cocodrilo Corte Red Blend Mendoza

(91 Points) This red blend is always Cabernet Sauvignon-based, and the 2016 Cocodrilo Corte also has 10% Malbec, 9% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc from Luján de Cuyo and Valle de Uco. It's the first vintage for quite some time to use the five varietals from Bordeaux. As in many of the blended wines, the percentage of grapes sourced from the Valle de Uco is increasing. In 2016 they also reduced the amount of new oak and started replacing some American oak barrels with French ones. The blend feels very balanced and integrated, with the oak neatly folded into the fruit, and it has a harmonious and balanced palate with fine tannins and a very tasty finish. This follows the path toward more freshness that I already sensed with the 2015 vintage. There is a step (or two) up in complexity and depth from the Felino line.  Robert Parker's Wine Advocate