Wine Vault & Bistro is pleased to announce a high-end Argentina wine dinner featuring the wines of Paul Hobbs’ Vina Cobos from Mendoza. My good friend and international export director Carlos de Carlos (yes, he has the same first and last names!) is coming here all the way from Santiago to personally host this dinner.

Chef and I designed an amazing 6-course menu paired with some of the best Vina Cobos wines including one from Wine Spectator’s Top 100 List that is sold out everywhere except here, an older vintage Cabernet Sauvignon and their very rare, 96-point “Chanares Estate” Cabernet Franc ... all of which we’ve managed to “sandbag” just for you!

We hope you'll be able to join us for what will surely be a fun evening of tasting great wines paired with great food while rubbing elbows with one of the most knowledgeable and respected folks in the industry. Wine notes and bottle prices are at the end of this announcement if you're interested. Here's the line-up:

NOTE: Due to the complexity of this menu we regret that we will be unable to accommodate vegetarian requests or extensive menu aberrations.

MENU

Saffron Artichokes à la Barigoule | Crispy Prosciutto | Herb Pistou

2024 Viña Cobos “Felino” Chardonnay (4 oz. pour)

Grilled New Zealand Lamb Chop | Toasted Couscous with Merguez Lamb Sausage | Thyme Jus

2022 Viña Cobos “Cocodrilo: Corte” Bordeaux Blend (4 oz. pour)

Seared Wagyu Ribeye | Roasted Garlic Potato Mille Feuille | Smoked Salt Compound Butter

2022 Viña Cobos “Bramare: Luján de Cuyo” Malbec (4 oz. pour)

Truffle Duet: Mushroom + Truffled White Cheddar Melt | Porcini + Truffle “Cappuccino” Bisque

2018 Viña Cobos “Bramare” Cabernet Sauvignon (4 oz. pour)

Délice de Bourgogne Triple Cream Cheese | Cracked Black Pepper + Rosemary Phyllo “Glass”

2019 Vina Cobos “Chanares Estate” Cabernet Franc (3 oz. pour)

Dark Chocolate Mousse + Candied Orange Bombe | Pistachio Caramel

Magdala Orange Brandy (1 oz. pour)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

RSVP

Please RSVP by clicking on the “Contact the Host” button in the box on the top right and responding with the following information.

1. your cell number and best time to call so we can call you to update your credit card info if necessary

2. how many people are in your party, and

3. answers to the HEAD’S UP questions in the paragraph below if you’re a party of 1 or 2. 

HEAD’S UP

Seating is EXTREMELY limited. We have a limited number of tables for couples who want to sit by themselves so please let us know if you’re willing to sit at communal tables as that will GREATLY increase your chances of getting in. We also have the two firepit tables on the patio for two (https://www.winevaultbistro.com/fire-pit) available if you don’t mind sitting at a lower, coffee table height table. Also, please consider inviting another couple or two to join you as if you’re a party of four or six there won’t be a problem getting your own table. We are currently limiting party sizes to a maximum of six.

LOCATION & PHONE

Wine Vault & Bistro is located in the heart of San Diego between Little Italy and Old Town at 3731-A India Street on the upstairs terrace. Follow the black handrail up the stairs from the sidewalk to our front door. Our phone number is (619) 295-3939.

PARKING

On-street parking is usually available within a 3-block radius. Meters are free after 6:00 so if you park at a metered spot just put in enough money (probably less than a buck) to get you to 6:00 and then you’re home free. You can also park in the lot behind Shakespeare Pub two doors down, but do not park in El Indio's lot unless you want your car towed! If you can’t find parking next to the restaurant, there’s always LOTS OF PARKING on San Diego Avenue and the adjacent side streets just past the Chevron station across Washington Street. So please don't drive yourself crazy endlessly going around in circles waiting to pounce on that perfect spot when there's TONS OF PARKING less than three blocks away!

WINE SALES

Although some wines may be in limited quantities, all wines poured at this dinner will be available for purchase at the restaurant until sold out. We reserve the right to limit sales of any rare or allocated wines at our discretion.

WINE NOTES & BOTTLE PRICES

2024 Viña Cobos “Felino” Chardonnay ~ $19

(Mendoza, Argentina) Classic Chardonnay fruit aromas of peach, fresh apricot and pear are complicated by sexy nuances of flowers, hazelnut and spices. Rich, sweet and ripe on the palate, with just enough framing acidity to maintain its balance with a subtle oak component. Nicely concentrated for a Chardonnay at this price point. The slightly phenolic finish features a touch of salinity and some dusty minerality.

2022 Viña Cobos “Cocodrilo: Corte” Bordeaux Blend ~ $29

(Mendoza, Argentina) Winemaker’s Notes: 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec + 1% Syrah. Deep red ruby with dark tones. Aromas of sweet spices, roasted red pepper, clove and dark chocolate. Balance, juicy palate with sweet tannins and a long finish. ~~~ Review by James Suckling ~ 93 points: Offers deep, dark black cherries, blueberries, umami and subtle savory notes on a mouth-filling, moderately tannic texture. Great structure comes with a lively through-line of acidity. It’s hearty and sophisticated at the same time. ~~~ Wine Spectator #39 of Top 100 for 2024 ~ 92 points: A medium-bodied red, with a graphite and cigar box underpinning to the generous core of plum and cassis which lengthens around fresh acidity, adding notes of dried sage and anise on the long finish around precise tannins. Drink now through 2036.

2022 Viña Cobos “Bramare: Luján de Cuyo” Malbec ~ $42

(Luján de Cuyo, Argentina) Winemaker’s Notes: Deep ruby red color with violet tones. Aromas of red fruit, plum, graphite and floral notes. Round and balanced palate with sweet and juicy tannins. ~~~ Review by James Suckling ~ 95 points: Tight, intense and layered, this full-bodied wine can be appreciated now for its cocoa, blueberry and blackcurrant flavors, but will surely improve and gain complexity with time. Aged in 20% new oak, mostly barriques. Very fine-grained tannins wrap around deep blue and black fruit, with spearmint and dark chocolate buoyed by good acidity and showing great minerality in the finish. Best from 2028.

2018 Viña Cobos “Bramare” Cabernet Sauvignon ~ $42

(Luján de Cuyo, Argentina) Winemaker’s Notes: Deep, brilliant red. On the nose, aromas of cassis, black cherries, blackberries and floral notes elegantly complement sweet and pungent spices like nutmeg, black pepper and tobacco. Round tannins provide structure and tension on the palate and integrate with complex flavors of fruit and subtle oak. ~~~ Review by Vinous ~ 94 points: Aged 18 months in 25% new barrels, the rest in used. A dusky, garnet red in the glass. The nuanced nose is led by pyrazines followed by blackcurrant, blackberry and ash with camphor and potent spice notes. Intense and juicy with a slick feel, the flavors develop clearly at the back of the mouth along with a good body and plenty of subtle, measured details.

2019 Vina Cobos “Chanares Estate” Cabernet Franc ~ $98

(Valle de Uco, Argentina) Winemaker’s Notes: Bright in red color with dark tones. Aromas of Andean herbs, pink pepper and gooseberries with hints of mint and cinnamon. Angular and focused on the palate with fine tannins, good concentration and balance and a long finish. ~~~ Review by James Suckling ~ 96 points: Aromas of fresh herbs and currants with some flowers. Medium to full body with firm, fine tannins and an umami, dark-fruit and savory aftertaste. Polished and fine. Drink after 2025.

Magdala Spanish Orange Brandy ~ $35

(Spain) A Mediterranean orange liqueur made by steeping lots of orange peels in grape brandy carefully distilled in small batches at the Torres distillery in Barcelona. Ageing in old oak casks produces an aromatic elixir, silky in texture and exceptionally elegant.

THE FINE PRINT

Due to fluctuations of supply, we reserve the right to make substitutions of equal or greater value in case any of the wines or foods become unavailable. Please, ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY NO ONE UNDER THE AGE OF 21 ... even if your babysitter flakes out on you at the last minute!

Hope to see you here. Buon appetito and cheers!

Chris