2020 Crossbarn by Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County
Opaque, brilliant garnet in the glass, the 2020 vintage’s select Sonoma County vineyard sites lend balance and unique savory elements that set this wine apart. Dynamic aromas of elderberry, blackberry, Bing cherry, and fresh mint emerge, giving way to focused flavors of black currant, cassis, and dried herbs. The plush mouthfeel, laced with well-integrated tannins, leads into a long, mouthwatering finish.
The name Paul Hobbs is synonymous with fine California winemaking. Born into a farming family in New York, Paul borrowed early life experience to reinvent modern winemaking by employing a classical approach that pays the utmost attention to quality farming and treating the fruit minimally so that it can convey a true sense of place. While his uncanny ability to ferret out unique and expressive vineyards and undiscovered regions has only enhanced his reputation, a resume that includes winemaking stints at Opus One and Simi, as well as consulting projects with Peter Michael, Fisher Vineyards and Lewis has helped position himself as one of California's best guiding hands in the cellar. All the wine projects lucky enough to be associated with Paul Hobbs are farmed sustainably. Furthermore, crop yields are kept low to boost flavor intensity, grapes are sorted by hand, juice is turned to wine with the aid of native yeasts and the wines are bottled without fining or filtration. Paul's reach spans far and wide, with his own wineries Paul Hobbs and CrossBarn in California, and Viña Cobos in Argentina. Word on the street is that he's even got his hands on grapes from Chile, Uruguay, France and Armenia. He's got us wondering, what will this globetrotting winemaker do next?
International Wine Report
Checking in with mostly Cabernet Sauvignon fruit with just 2% Petit Verdot included, it's aged for 18 months in 15% new French oak barrels. This second label from the famous winemaker Paul Hobbs presents notes of spiced black plums, black currants, candied violet flower petals, sweet clove, wet earth, and cassis. Stunningly textured with a full body and sweet tannins, it's a lovely bottle of Cabernet that is ready to drink now and should age wonderfully for another 8-10 years.