2021 Cobb 'Rice Spivak' Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
An alluring blend of elegance and power, the 2021 Rice-Spivak Pinot Noir captures the unique terroir of this Sebastopol Hills vineyard. Dark cherry, spice, and licorice meet hints of new leather, graphite, and dried herbs, with volcanic ash undertones lending complexity and precision. Silky yet explosive on the palate, it showcases perfectly integrated 50% whole-cluster fermentation. Sourced from Goldridge soils layered with ash, this wine is a testament to Ross Cobb’s mastery of Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. A vivid and captivating expression from a site Cobb has championed since 2003.
Vinous
The 2021 Pinot Noir Rice-Spivak Vineyard is fabulous. Dark and mysterious in the glass, the 2021 offers up an exotic mélange of dark cherry, spice, new leather, licorice, graphite and dried herbs. The 2021 is vivid and explosive, but also light on its feet. The 50% stems are beautifully integrated. What a classy, gorgeous wine. Ross Cobb has worked with this fruit since 2003.
Jeb Dunnuck
The ruby red 2021 Pinot Noir Rice-Spivak Vineyard is a little reserved on opening, with a hint more spice, and unfolds to reveal layered notes of fresh cherries, violets, and forest herbs. Medium-bodied, it has more intensity and persistence on the palate, with ripe tannins and hints of darker mineral tones on the long finish. It is a gorgeous wine. Drink 2026-2036.
Decanter
At just 2 ha, Rice Spivak vineyard is a non-estate site that Ross has worked with since 2003, going to a single vineyard designation in 2006. Though it is in Sebastopol Hills and as far east as Cobb sources fruit, it is picked around the same time as Coastlands owing to its low elevation and pooling fog on the site. The Pinot is ripe and fleshy with loads of blue and tart blackberry fruits, candied sweet strawberries, pomegranate molasses, and smoky minerality, turned earth more cherry and fruit.
Wine Advocate
The 2021 Pinot Noir Rice Spivak Vineyard is youthfully coiled at this stage and deserves several years in the cellar to continue to unwind. Made with 50% whole clusters, the nose offers alluring red cherry, blood orange, pipe tobacco and earthy undertones. The medium-bodied palate is much more open at this stage, bursting with concentrated cherry flavors. It has a finely chalky texture, vibrant yet seamless acidity and a very long, spicy finish.