Paul Hobbs Russian River Pinot Noir 2017
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Winemaker Notes
Highlighting a collection of estate and grower parcels that are defined by their proximity to the coast and Russian River, the wine displays a crimson hue and aromas of violet, Earl grey tea, and baked sour cherry. The velvet texture on the palate combines with flavors of Damson plum, red clay, and orange peel that ends with fresh acidity that lifts the palate, lengthening the wine’s finish. Enjoyable with a Brabander goat cheese from Holland or roasted wild mushroom tartine.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
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.
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James Suckling
Blueberries, brambleberries, elderberries, raspberry fool and crushed violets. I love the firm tannins, bright acidity and herbal undertones. Drink now or hold.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
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.
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Connoisseurs' Guide
Time and again we have been struck by the quality displayed in high-achieving appellation bottlings of accomplished Pinot Noir winemakers, and, although it checks in with a less-ambitious price than Mr. Hobb’s single-vineyard offerings, this one is no less deep or invitingly rich and speaks with a great deal of varietal authority. It is fleshy and full and very showy at the moment, and, if perhaps not quite as long-lived as its mates, it is a seriously good Pinot fully capable of getting better if hidden away in the cellar for three or four years.
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Wine Spectator
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.
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While the Russian River Valley is a large appellation with multiple climate zones and soil types, it is best known for cool-climate varieties, with Pinot Noir as the most celebrated. The grapes benefit from a reliable late afternoon flow of Pacific Ocean fog through the Petaluma Gap and along the Russian River Valley that ensures slow and steady ripening and the preservation of grape acidity. Today many of California’s most highly regarded Pinot Noir vineyards are in the Russian River Valley, along with its sub-appellation, Green Valley.
Historically Russian River Valley Pinot Noirs had bright red fruit and delicate earthy, mineral notes. But changes in viticultural and winemaking practices have led to stylistic changes in some of the region’s wines. Adjustments to canopy management, among other techniques, have resulted in riper fruit and bolder wines as well. These show flavors of black cherry, blackberry, cola, spice and darker, loamy earth tones, accenting traditional Pinot Noir notes of strawberry, raspberry and light cherry.