Paul Hobbs Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2017
- jd95
- js93
- wa92
- ws91
- v91
Category | Red Wine |
Varietal | |
Region | California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley |
Brand | Paul Hobbs |
Look for a deep violet color in this elegant Pinot Noir with aromas of black raspberry, violets, sassafras, clove and cocoa butter. Juicy red fruits, earl gray tea, hazelnut and damp red clay flavors complement its velvet-like texture and long finish.
Robert Parker: 'My tasting notes on these same Pinot Noir cuvées in 2013 revealed slightly smaller production numbers, and wines with more crisp acids, perhaps not the flesh and fat of the 2012s, but stylistically, they are more elegant and feminine whereas the 2012s are more meaty, concentrated and powerful. All the 2013 Pinot Noirs appear to be very good, with my favorites being the Agustina Katherine Lindsay Estate and the Ulises Valdez Vineyard. Paul Hobbs is undoubtedly one of the world’s finest consultants, and as Americans we’re lucky to have this New York State-born winemaking guru right in the heart of the Russian River, turning out a bevy of wines from both Napa (reviewed in issue 215) and the following items from their estate vineyards in Sonoma as well as from purchased fruit. Hobbs has a separate entity now, which is aimed at producing good value wines under the Cross Barn by Paul Hobbs moniker. There’s some juicy, high-quality stuff in these cuvées.'
Jeb Dunnuck
- jd95
Moving to the Pinot Noirs, the 2017 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley is the appellation release from Hobbs, and it's brought up all in French oak. Black raspberries, bouquet garni, crushed flowers, and honeyed strawberry notes all emerge from this beautifully polished, medium-bodied, seamless effort. With lots of upfront fruit, plenty of underlying depth and structure, and a great finish, it's a winner. Drink it over the coming decade.
James Suckling
- js93
Blueberries, brambleberries, elderberries, raspberry fool and crushed violets. I love the firm tannins, bright acidity and herbal undertones. Drink now or hold.
Wine Advocate
- wa92
The 2017 Pinot Noir is pale to medium ruby-purple colored and reveals gregarious notes of crushed black and red cherries, warm raspberries and mulberries with touches of baking spices, red roses and spearmint. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is completely packed with red and black berry layers, framed by plush tannins and a lively line, finishing long and spicy. 7,265 cases produced, to be released in March 2019.
Wine Spectator
- ws91
Chiseled, ripe and flavorful, featuring concentrated kirsch, wild plum and raspberry confit notes that mesh easily. Fruity midpalate, with a finish of slate and pepper hints, supported by firm tannins. Drink now through 2024. 7,235 cases made.
Vinous
- v91
The 2017 Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley) is bright, floral and nicely lifted, with plenty of red cherry pie and berry character. Medium in body and wiry - perhaps because of its recent bottling - the 2017 has plenty to recommend it. This is a gorgeous wine in its peer group.
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