Paul Hobbs Wines Crossbarn Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2020: Medium ruby color; raspberry, cherry, plum, boysenberry, cranberry, pomegranate, flowers, lavender, forest floor on the nose and palate.
Dry; supple tannins backed by lifting acidity and hint of salinity. Medium body. Well balanced, punches above its weight, nice iteration of Sonoma Coast pinot with cooler climate and ocean influence. Blend of 95% pinot noir, 5% syrah. Spent 10 months in French oak, 40% new. This is a nice 2020 vintage survivor—that was the harvest of drought and devastating fires. There is no smoke taint in this effort. 14.1% ABV
Paul Hobbs’s childhood roots trace to a family farm in Western New York growing apples. He particularly is associated with a scientific approach to the art of winemaking. His focus is excellence in stewardship of the land and crafting of wines that reflect the land. In the early 1990s, he was a pioneer in site-specific, vineyard-designated wines.
Hobbs has earned an international reputation in wine during his 40-year career. In 2013, Forbes Magazine referred to him as “the Steve Jobs of wine.” He earned a BS in chemistry from the University of Notre Dame in 1975 and a MS in viticulture & enology from the University of California-Davis in 1978. He was a member of inaugural Opus One winemaking team in 1979.
He worked in Argentina beginning in 1988 and is credited as being a major factor in the rise of malbec to world class status in that country. Today, Hobbs is owner and vintner for eight wineries around the world: Paul Hobbs Winery, Crossbarn, and HOBBS (California), Hillick & Hobbs (Finger Lakes, New York), Viña Cobos (Argentina), Crocus (Cahors, France), Yacoubian- Hobbs (Armenia), and Alvaredos-Hobbs (Galicia, Spain).
With that much responsibility around the world, Hobbs must rely of high quality partners to achieve his objectives at his namesake winery in Napa. Brycen Hill is the director of vineyards. Jake Pickett is the director of winemaking. Hobbs notes: “Our team of farmers and vintners is crucial in the perpetual quest to discover and elevate our terroirs. That’s why we’ve cultivated a team of curious people who are uncompromising in their work ethic and passionate about the nuances of each vineyard. Together, we make better wine.”
Paul Hobbs Wines Crossbarn Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2020 is a solid, good fruit, good tannin, good acidity all around winner for a relatively entry-level quality pinot noir. Paul Hobbs is dependable producer, as this effort affirms. Pair with salmon, tuna; pork tenderloin, prosciutto-wrapped pork; roast chicken, duck; beef Wellington, grilled filet mignon; wild game—venison; mushroom risotto; grilled portobello mushrooms; ratatouille; roasted root vegetables; charcuterie board. Cheese—versatile, will work with many cheeses; brie, herbed goat cheese, gruyere, parmigiano reggiano, camembert, fontina, swiss, provolone, brie, taleggio. $36
