Paul Hobbs
About Paul Hobbs
The name Paul Hobbs has become synonymous with Napa Valley "cult" wine. A legend in his own time, he has made enormous contributions to fine wine around the world. Paul Hobbs himself was something of prodigious agricultural talent, growing up on an orchard where his green-fingered tendencies were nurtured by his father. Initially studying chemistry at university, Hobbs proceeded to venture West to gain a Master's degree in Viticulture and Enology in California - the rest is history.
With a solid academic background coupled with a natural feel for the cultivation of vines thanks to his formative years, Hobbs' talents were soon recognised by the legendary Robert Mondavi, and he quickly rose to become his most trusted colleague - Paul Hobbs was instrumental in the creation of Opus One.
The time came, as is only fitting for such a winemaker, for Hobbs to produce his wines, his way, under his own label in 2003. Miniscule production and a relentless pursuit of excellence above all else are the markers of such a producer - Paul Hobbs certainly conforms to these.
Paul Hobbs Wines
Hobbs produces a range of powerful yet classical Cabernet Sauvignon, and a hauntingly elegant Pinot Noir. He has consistently pioneered the Napa Valley trend of moving away from the super-ripe, extracted style of wines which were dubbed "fruit bombs" by unenthusiastic critics, to low intervention expressions of time, place and of course beautiful terroir.
He also consults with – and making – wine at dozens of top estates from Cahors to Napa to Argentina. His latest project, Viña Cobos, is one of the most exciting in Argentina.
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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California | 1 | 100 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£1,693.06 |
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Wine Advocate (100)Produced from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and sporting a deep garnet-purple color, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr Crane Vineyard offers up a profound and singular nose of loam, rocks and iron ore over a core of black cherries, baked black berries and preserved plums with hints of licorice, dark chocolate, cedar, sautéed herbs and beef broth. Full-bodied, rich and demonstrating great depth with a wonderfully compelling personality, it delivers a multitude of savory meat and toast layers, framed by firm, fine-grained tannins. It finishes with incredible persistence, allowing those provocative mineral nuances to shine through. |
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California | 6 | 95+ (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£510.37 |
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Wine Advocate (95+)Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and displaying a deep garnet-purple color, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard opens with pronounced crème de cassis, mocha, black forest cake and cloves over lavender, bay leaf and menthol nuances. Full-bodied, concentrated and seductive, it has a gorgeous velvety texture and plenty of freshness lifting the opulent flavors, finishing with a spices and herbs kick. |
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California | 1 | 95+ (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£2,257.06 |
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Wine Advocate (95+)Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and displaying a deep garnet-purple color, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard opens with pronounced crème de cassis, mocha, black forest cake and cloves over lavender, bay leaf and menthol nuances. Full-bodied, concentrated and seductive, it has a gorgeous velvety texture and plenty of freshness lifting the opulent flavors, finishing with a spices and herbs kick. |
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California | 12 | 96 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£548.65 |
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Vinous (96)The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard is such a gorgeous and highly representative wine off this site. Crushed rocks, graphite, menthol, crème de cassis and spice are so typical of this site. At this stage, the Piedras does not have the sheer appeal or immediacy of the Crane, but then again, that is Piedras. All of this fruit is Clone 4, which in this rugged site yields very small berries with plenty of concentration. And that is exactly what comes through in this majestic Cabernet. |
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California | 27 | 98+ (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£813.85 |
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Wine Advocate (98+)Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard reveals notes of blackberry preserves and blueberry compote with chocolate box, star anise, sandalwood, dried meat and black loam nuances. The full-bodied palate is earthy and muscular, with a solid frame of ripe, grainy tannins and just enough freshness to support the taut earthy and savory flavors, finishing on a lingering spicy note. 840 cases were made. |
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California | 1 | 98+ (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£2,153.09 |
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Wine Advocate (98+)Deep garnet-purple in color, the nose of the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard starts off with soft-spoken scents of ripe red and black plums, cassis, black raspberries and mulberries, followed by gentle wafts of cedar and pencil lead and finally bursting out with Sichuan pepper and hoisin notes. The medium to full-bodied palate is opulent, plushly textured and brimming with spicy red and blackberry layers, going beautifully perfumed on the long finish. Paul Hobbs mentioned that he backed off on the new oak this year, aging the wine in 85% new French oak (as opposed to 100%). I love this more elegant, nuanced expression a lot. 688 cases were made. |
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California | 4 | 97+ (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£2,625.89 |
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Wine Advocate (97+)Having tasted this wine since the inaugural 2012 vintage, one of the aspects I most love about this vineyard is how clearly it stands stylistically apart from Paul Hobbs' St. Helena and Oakville single-vineyard wines—with red fruits entering the mélange, this incredible energy plus a very particular tannin texture—and yet the quality is right up there on the same par. Containing a dollop (2%) of Cabernet Franc, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Nathan Coombs Estate has a deep garnet-purple color and a vibrant nose of red currant and red plum compote, blackberry preserves and mulberries with underlying suggestions of garrigue, Mediterranean herbs, damp earth, lavender and underbrush. Medium to full-bodied, the tannins on this wine are oh-so-finely pixelated, with a refreshing backbone cutting through the intense flavor layers, finishing with an invigorating lift. I could sit down and drink this right now, but it promises much more to come with 10-15 years cellaring and should hold considerably longer. |
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California | 8 | 95 (VN) |
Inc. VAT
£194.65 |
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Vinous (95)The 2018 Chardonnay Richard Dinner Vineyard is quite floral and perfumed in this vintage. Jasmine, white pepper, mint and lemon peel give the 2018 a brilliant aromatic upper register. In most vintages the Richard Dinner Chardonnay is distinguished by more of a phenolic character, but the 2018 is all about lift and energy. |
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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|
California | 1 | 100 (WA) |
In Bond
£1,391.00 |
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Wine Advocate (100)Produced from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and sporting a deep garnet-purple color, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr Crane Vineyard offers up a profound and singular nose of loam, rocks and iron ore over a core of black cherries, baked black berries and preserved plums with hints of licorice, dark chocolate, cedar, sautéed herbs and beef broth. Full-bodied, rich and demonstrating great depth with a wonderfully compelling personality, it delivers a multitude of savory meat and toast layers, framed by firm, fine-grained tannins. It finishes with incredible persistence, allowing those provocative mineral nuances to shine through. |
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|
California | 6 | 95+ (WA) |
In Bond
£422.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (95+)Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and displaying a deep garnet-purple color, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard opens with pronounced crème de cassis, mocha, black forest cake and cloves over lavender, bay leaf and menthol nuances. Full-bodied, concentrated and seductive, it has a gorgeous velvety texture and plenty of freshness lifting the opulent flavors, finishing with a spices and herbs kick. |
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|
California | 1 | 95+ (WA) |
In Bond
£1,861.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (95+)Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and displaying a deep garnet-purple color, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard opens with pronounced crème de cassis, mocha, black forest cake and cloves over lavender, bay leaf and menthol nuances. Full-bodied, concentrated and seductive, it has a gorgeous velvety texture and plenty of freshness lifting the opulent flavors, finishing with a spices and herbs kick. |
|||||||||
|
California | 12 | 96 (VN) |
In Bond
£454.00 |
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Vinous (96)The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard is such a gorgeous and highly representative wine off this site. Crushed rocks, graphite, menthol, crème de cassis and spice are so typical of this site. At this stage, the Piedras does not have the sheer appeal or immediacy of the Crane, but then again, that is Piedras. All of this fruit is Clone 4, which in this rugged site yields very small berries with plenty of concentration. And that is exactly what comes through in this majestic Cabernet. |
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|
California | 27 | 98+ (WA) |
In Bond
£675.00 |
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Wine Advocate (98+)Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard reveals notes of blackberry preserves and blueberry compote with chocolate box, star anise, sandalwood, dried meat and black loam nuances. The full-bodied palate is earthy and muscular, with a solid frame of ripe, grainy tannins and just enough freshness to support the taut earthy and savory flavors, finishing on a lingering spicy note. 840 cases were made. |
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|
California | 1 | 98+ (WA) |
In Bond
£1,775.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (98+)Deep garnet-purple in color, the nose of the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard starts off with soft-spoken scents of ripe red and black plums, cassis, black raspberries and mulberries, followed by gentle wafts of cedar and pencil lead and finally bursting out with Sichuan pepper and hoisin notes. The medium to full-bodied palate is opulent, plushly textured and brimming with spicy red and blackberry layers, going beautifully perfumed on the long finish. Paul Hobbs mentioned that he backed off on the new oak this year, aging the wine in 85% new French oak (as opposed to 100%). I love this more elegant, nuanced expression a lot. 688 cases were made. |
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|
California | 4 | 97+ (WA) |
In Bond
£2,169.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (97+)Having tasted this wine since the inaugural 2012 vintage, one of the aspects I most love about this vineyard is how clearly it stands stylistically apart from Paul Hobbs' St. Helena and Oakville single-vineyard wines—with red fruits entering the mélange, this incredible energy plus a very particular tannin texture—and yet the quality is right up there on the same par. Containing a dollop (2%) of Cabernet Franc, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Nathan Coombs Estate has a deep garnet-purple color and a vibrant nose of red currant and red plum compote, blackberry preserves and mulberries with underlying suggestions of garrigue, Mediterranean herbs, damp earth, lavender and underbrush. Medium to full-bodied, the tannins on this wine are oh-so-finely pixelated, with a refreshing backbone cutting through the intense flavor layers, finishing with an invigorating lift. I could sit down and drink this right now, but it promises much more to come with 10-15 years cellaring and should hold considerably longer. |
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|
California | 8 | 95 (VN) |
In Bond
£159.00 |
|||||
Vinous (95)The 2018 Chardonnay Richard Dinner Vineyard is quite floral and perfumed in this vintage. Jasmine, white pepper, mint and lemon peel give the 2018 a brilliant aromatic upper register. In most vintages the Richard Dinner Chardonnay is distinguished by more of a phenolic character, but the 2018 is all about lift and energy. |