Winery - Paul Hobbs
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Young, closed, dense, but fine. Flavors suggest rum-soaked raisins, cassis, sweet oak and gingerbread. Long, rich, fat, extracted, borders on super-maturity but not quite, maintaining balance and even elegance. Finishes long and fruity. Hold beyond 2008.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A very great Napa Cabernet by any standard. Defines the modern style of soft richness, with lavish flavors of blackberry tart, crème de cassis, blueberry, dark chocolate and the richest, sweetest toasty oak you can imagine. It’s soft and ripe enough to drink now, yet shows a subtle structure that suggests aging for a decade. Possesses the extreme complexity and finesse that mark the greatest wines.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
An ultrarich Cabernet whose ripe fruit is as elaborate as you can get. Ditto for the soft, plush tannins and the wealth of fine, sweet oak. Despite the wealth of blackberry, currant, dark chocolate and cola flavors, it’s not a wine to drink now, because the tannins and acids are so pert. Give it a good six years in the cellar.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Young and so tannic, but the fruit is massive and intense, and the balance suggests aging. Blackberries, cassis and oak mesh perfectly in this dry wine. The alcohol is creeping up there, at 14.8%. Best now with very rich fare, or hold through 2012.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Delicious in pastry-filling raspberry and cherry flavors, with a baked brown sugar richness and exotic touches of vanilla, cinnamon, anise and toast. Dazzles with a direct hit to the palate; is soft and dry. But it has a certain surface one dimensionality. Seems at its best now–2013.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Like autumn in a bottle, the subdued smoke and pear bouquet is followed by a buttered apple, toast and vanilla palate. The flavors are more understated than they sound—this wine is all about subtlety and balance. It builds in layers, complex and butter-smooth. The standout finish shows butterscotch and mineral notes in a delightful tension.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Minty, oaky, coffee and blalckberry aroma, gingersnap cookie. Tastes big, ripe, boldly tannic. Very dry. Not showing well, could improve after 2008.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
An awesome Chardonnay that gives everything you want in richness, yet frames it in a structural integrity rare in California. Dazzles with tropical fruit, green apple and pear flavors, with a brilliant overlay of oak that adds buttered toast and spice flavors, not to mention sturdy oak tannins. But it’s the zesty acidity, like a squirt of lime juice, that really elevates this wine.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
An intoxicating bouquet of clove, ripe orange, peach and melon promises a lot, but this wine delivers. The similarly heady palate of creamy, ripe tropical fruit is almost romantic, the richly textured mouthfeel full and lush. Finishes long in the same sensuous manner. Drink now for its exuberant fruit and voluptuous feel. Like Paul, his wines exude style and character.
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October 26, 2011
Another delicious offering from Paul Hobbs. This wine was the WS #6 of 2010, which delivered spectacular bang for the buck at a $45 release price. Silky smooth texture with bright cherry fruit along with notes of raspberry and cloves. If you can still find it in neighborhood of its release price, grab what you can.
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