Paul Hobbs Russian River Pinot Noir 2020
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Winemaker Notes
Estate-born from our high-density plantings in the western reaches of the appellation, this vintage displays translucent ruby and entices with freshly picked violets, wild cherry, and scents of sage. The palate is framed by a supple texture and well-integrated tannins that opens with layered notes of crushed pomegranate seeds, blood orange extract, and lightly steeped Rooibos tea. This is an elegant and graceful wine with bright acidity, leading to a long and pure finish.
Professional Ratings
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Tasting Panel
Estate fruit from the western end of the Russian River Valley expresses earth, cinnamon, and heather on the nose and a juicy, high- profile acid structure with a flow of spiced red-cherry tea. Pomegranate and vanilla season rose petals within the fleshy texture, which joins the salty finish in imparting pleasure with every sip.
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James Suckling
An attractive nose of ripe red fruit and berries, fresh mint and black licorice. Medium-to full-bodied with fine-grained tannins and a smooth texture. Bright, citrus-like acidity that adds a lot of life to the flavors of fresh colored flowers and ripe red cherries. Good intensity and balance. Drink or hold.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Medium ruby-purple, the 2020 Pinot Noir is scented of cranberries, underbrush, tobacco leaves and woodsmoke. The palate is light-bodied, silky and bright with earth-laced fruits and a long, spicy finish.
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Jeb Dunnuck
The quintessential 2020 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley is flush with cola spice, grenadine, and sappy forest floor, while the palate opens with generous ripe red fruits of cherry, beet root, and cinnamon.
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Wine Spectator
Bursts with juicy, well-detailed pomegranate, cherry and blackberry flavors that are carried by sleek, well-embedded acidity. This has light anise and violet hints skittering in the background, with a bright mineral edge that helps drive the finish. Very solid all around. Drink now
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2021-
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Enthusiast - Vinous
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James
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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.