Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon "Nathan Coombs Estate" 2019
(Coombsville, Napa Valley, California) - [VM 98] [JD 97] [JS 97] [WA 96+] [WS 95]

Notes from the Winemaker:
Paul Hobbs established his namesake winery in 1991 after working with some of the world’s greatest vintners. His goal was to sustainably craft wines with minimal intervention and meticulous care to capture the purist concept of place.

About this Wine:

The Cabernet Sauvignon from Paul Hobbs' Nathan Coombs Estate in Coombsville, Napa Valley, features clonal selections 337 and 4, planted on rootstocks 110r and 3309 in soils ranging from Guenoc Rock Outcrop Complex to Haire Loam. The vineyard, with up to 35% southwestern slopes, uses a bilateral cordon trellis system. The winemaking process includes hand-harvesting at night, indigenous yeast fermentation, 30-day maceration, and aging for 18 months in 96% new French oak barrels. This wine, bottled unfined and unfiltered, showcases a deep garnet core with lush blackberry and black currant aromas, complemented by dark chocolate, leather, and sweet tobacco notes. The palate reveals the vineyard's signature graphite and anise spice, resulting in a bold, structured, and complex wine with refreshing energy. 

Ratings & Reviews

98 Points - Vinous:

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Nathan Coombs Estate is every bit as impressive as it was last year. What a wine. Deep, sensual and layered, with phenomenal aromatic presence, the Nathan Coombs simply has it all. Dark red cherry, plum, spice, rose petal, mint and blood orange lend nuance, but it is the wine's phenomenal balance that stands out most. The new oak is maybe just a bit pushed, but otherwise this is an absolutely magical Cabernet Sauvignon from Paul Hobbs. (Drink between 2025-2039)

97 Points - Jeb Dunnuck: 
Also from the Coombsville appellation in the southern end of the valley, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Nathan Coombs Estate has a rich, complex, classic Cabernet nose of red and black currants, green tobacco, camphor, violets, and lead pencil. It gains steam with time in the glass and is full-bodied, concentrated, and layered, with one heck of a mid-palate, beautiful tannins, and a great finish. It unquestionably shows some cooler, textbook Cabernet green notes, but it’s perfectly ripe and is just another incredible wine from this estate in 2019. Drink this any time over the coming 20-25 years. (Drink between 2022-2047)

97 Points - James Suckling:
Wonderful aromas of eucalyptus, lead pencil and blackcurrants. Graphite and crushed stones, too. Medium-to full-bodied with wonderful finesse and length. Round, creamy tannins and a long, intense finish. Drinkable now, but better after 2026.

96+ Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:

The most muscular wine in the current lineup, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Nathan Coombs Estate is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and tips the scales at 15.2% alcohol. Blackberries and cassis lead the way, tinged with subtle bay leaf and sage shadings. Full-bodied, rich and concentrated, it has a slightly chunky, blocky feel to it and considerable tannin. There's plenty of fruit to provide balance, and the wine finishes long, dusty and firm, with hints of licorice and ample aging potential. 344 cases produced. Drink 2024-2040.

95 Points - Wine Spectator:
This has a wisp of singed bay leaf weaving in and out of a core of steeped plum, açaí and fig fruit, while smoldering cast iron and warm earth tones fill in through the finish, giving this a bit of an old-school bent. Best from 2023 through 2038. 344 cases made.