Winemaker Notes
Sourced from carefully selected vineyards throughout the region, this garnet-hued cabernet greets with aromas of redcurrant, black olive tapenade, and hints of wet stone. Juicy red fruits burst on the palate with a youthful intensity, with balanced acidity, fine-grained tannins, and a lengthy finish.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Aromas of blackberries, conifer, walnuts and dried flowers follow through to a full body with firm, silky tannins and a beautiful finish. It’s linear and fine. Juicy. A new addition of Alexander Valley and Blue Mountain give this some beauty. Drink or hold.
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Vinous
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma Valley) is absolutely gorgeous. Nearly half of the fruit is Paul Hobbs's new estate vineyard in Alexander Valley plus Rancho Salina on Moon Mountain. Elegant, polished and refined, the 2018 is a very beautiful wine. Sweet red cherry, crushed flowers, spice and mint add lovely shades of aromatic nuance. The Sonoma Valley Cabernet is a hidden gem in Paul Hobbs' range.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County leaps from the glass with notes of Morello cherries, black raspberries, redcurrant jelly and fresh blackberries plus hints of bay leaves, fallen leaves and damp soil. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers crunchy red and black fruits with a lively backbone and approachable, grainy texture, finishing with a compelling herbal lift. The vintage was sourced 50% from Sonoma's Moon Mountain AVA and 50% from a Paul Hobbs estate vineyard in Alexander Valley.
While Sonoma County is acclaimed—and rightfully so—for its Chardonnays, Pinot Noirs, and Zinfandels, it also produces exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon. Of the region’s 18 American Viticultural Areas, only a handful produce top-notch Cabernet Sauvignon. These appellations include Alexander Valley, Knights Valley, Sonoma Valley and Dry Creek Valley. Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignons made in these appellations can offer a complex array of aromas and flavors. Fruit notes such as blackberry, blackcurrant, cassis, black cherry and raspberry often are accompanied by hints of graphite, dusty earth, cigar box, toast and vanilla. The varietal has a rich history in Sonoma, and some of these Cabernet Sauvignons and Cabernet-based blends rival the best from Napa Valley.