Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The beautiful 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Paul Hobbs' multiple sources. It exhibits a vibrant, young, blue/black color as well as a stunning nose of Asian plum sauce, black currants, blueberries and a touch of forest floor. Rich, opulent and full-bodied, it is meant for early drinking, but at age ten, it is showing no signs of premature aging. The pleasure police may accuse this wine of being a fruit bomb, but, boy, is it gorgeous, rich and satisfying on both a hedonistic and intellectual level! There is a lot going on here, and by Napa Valley standards, it is reasonably priced. Drink it over the next decade.
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.