The legendary vineyard situated on the Oakville bench is farmed by both row and vine so we can endow the fullest expression of the site. Presenting an appearance of opaque purple color, enormous complexity and layered aromatics open with black raspberry, anise, and intonations of cigar leaf and savory tar. Wild blackberry and currant present a focused palate highlighted by mocha and dried thyme. The full-bodied texture and balanced acidity are surrounded by opulent and voluptuous tannins from start to finish making this a readily approachable wine that pleases the palate.\n Consider complementing with duck confit cassoulet, steak frites with béarnaise, or spicy mussel cioppino. Serve at 50°-55° F.Fantastic aromas of sweet tobacco, currants and bark. Great complexity. Full and rich yet structured and intense. Excellent length. Excited about this.\n Producer Information\n Paul Hobbs Winery was founded in 1991 by established winemaking consultant Paul Hobbs. Located in Sebastopol in Sonoma County, the winery specializes in single-vineyard varietal wines made from Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Chardonnay. Hobbs already had an impressive resumé as a consultant before establishing his own winery, which has gone on to receive significant critical recognition. Hobbs started his career working for Robert Mondavi in 1978, and was involved with the creation of Opus One – the collaboration between Mondavi and Baron Philippe de Rothschild of the Bordeaux first growth Mouton Rothschild. Hobbs consulted with Simi Winery and championed the Argentinian wine industry while at Bodega Catena Zapata. The connections Hobbs made throughout this period allowed his winery project to achieve financing in a difficult period when California was suffering from the effects of phylloxera in the early 1990s. The winery primarily bottles four grape varieties sourced from a number of vineyards in Sonoma County and Napa Valley: Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Chardonnay. It makes numerous single-vineyard wines, along with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines from the Russian River Valley and a Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. The 2002 Paul Hobbs To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon was awarded 100 points in Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, and the 2008 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir was named in the top ten of Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines in 2010.
