Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville 2021
(Napa Valley, California) - [JS 97] [DM 96] [JD 95] [WS 93] [VM 93]

Notes from the Winemaker:

Growing Season:
One of the best vintages in recent memory, 2021 will be remembered for its intensely flavored berries, a smooth harvest and most importantly, exquisitely balanced, nuanced, and vivid wines. The season began with historically low rainfall which, coupled with a cold winter, delayed bud break. However, despite the cooler start to the year, the remainder of the season proved to be temperate with no relevant unfavorable weather events. Warm temps and mild May weather conditions, for example, favored a compact bloom and an extremely uniform fruit set with highly desirable small berries and moderately sized, well-spaced clusters. Meanwhile, summer’s long, cool mornings and warm afternoons permitted the fruit on the vine to take a slow, leisurely ride to full maturity—excellent for the physiological fruit development we prize. Harvest kicked-off punctually at 12:01 am, September 6, and after six glorious weeks, blessed our house with a fine crop of remarkably delicious, energetic, young wines.

Ratings & Reviews

96 Points - James Suckling:
"Excellent complexity of blackcurrant, lead pencil and oyster. Some redwood and bark. Full to medium body with wonderfully crafted tannins that run the length of the wine with so much subtle and complex character of graphite and fruit. Structured and classic. Bordeaux blend with cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot and petit verdot. Drink in 2026 onwards." - JS (Nov 2023)

96 Points - Decanter Magazine: 
"Paul Hobb's Coombsville Cabernet was fermented with native yeasts, spending 29 days macerating with pump-overs and délestage, followed by spontaneous malolactic fermentation in a barrel. The wine was aged 18 months in 53% new French oak. 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot, and 4% Merlot were bottled unfined and unfiltered. Super expressive and aromatic notes of dark chocolate, iron-like minerality, and bright huckleberry fruits, with raspberry, plums and sweet baking spices. Profoundly layered, with great density balanced by a lightness of extremely fine-grained tannins, complemented by dusty, chalky minerals on the wine's full-bodied finish. (Drink between 2024-2050)" - Jonathan Cristaldi (June 2024)

95 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville (83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot, and 4% Merlot) is another deep purple-hued effort from Hobbs that has sensational purity in its cassis and juicy blackberry fruits. These are supported by textbook notes of graphite, freshly sharpened pencils, and spring flowers. Playing in the medium to full-bodied end of the spectrum, with ultra-fine tannins, a seamless, elegant texture, and outstanding length, this will compete with wine two to three times the price. It will evolve for 15-20 years. (Drink between 2023-2043)" - Jeb Dunnuck (Dec 2023)

93 Points - Wine Spectator: 
"Dense and ripe but reserved in feel, with a cool cast iron note that adds a touch of restraint to the mix of blackberry and black currant preserve flavors. Juicy, with judicious toast through the tobacco and roasted alder–accented finish. Best from 2026 through 2036. 5,000 cases made." - James Molesworth (July 2024)

93 Points - Vinous Media:

"The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon (Coombsville) is fabulous. Rich, dark and super-expressive, the 2021 captures all the savory intensity of Coombsville. Dried herbs, leather, tobacco, chocolate, incense and cloves meld into a core of blackberry jam. Pretty floral notes and bright acids liven up the finish. Readers will find a dense, opulent Cabernet Sauvignon that delivers the goods. (Drink between 2024-2033)" - Antonio Galloni (Dec 2023)