2021 Paul Hobbs Chardonnay Russian River Valley
Crafted with precision from six pedigreed sites, our newest vintage shines with an opalescent, pale straw hue. Aromas of red apple skin, Asian pear, and Meyer lemon zest entices the nose, followed by delicate notes of gardenia. Lively flavors of apricot and nectarine emerge on the palate, giving way to lemon meringue and baking spice. Bright and energetic with a vibrant acidity, this graceful wine ends with a long, seamless 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?
James Suckling
Cooked apple, pie crust, stone, and vanilla bean aromas with hints of flint. Full body. Crunchy fruit with sliced apple. Hints of oak. Dense in the center palate yet firm and focused. Excellent. Drink or hold.