2018 Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Community Tasting Notes (5) Avg Score: 92.5 points

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  1/12/2023 - Hi.its.Don.4.Wine Likes this wine: 95 Points

  A Rose by Any Other Name
  
  "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet" is a popular adage from Romeo and Juliet, in which Juliet seems to argue that it does not matter that Romeo is from her family's rival house of Montague. There I go, quoting Shakespeare again. I didn’t even like reading his works! Yet I routinely drop lines in my articles. Go figure?
  
  While questioning my use, there can be no doubt about my usage in reference to today’s wine:
  
  Paul Hobbs Coombsville Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
  
  You see, this is the inaugural vintage of the Coombsville Appellation. What may not be as obvious is that this bottling replaces the previous “Napa Valley” wine. For some that might not mean very much, and with respect to the quality of the wine, it doesn’t. For others, it is the appreciation of the Coombsville region and the excellent wines produced.
  
  Now sourced from the Certified Sustainable Nathan Coombs Estate and Flat Rock vineyards, composed of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot, the wine is then aged for 20 months in French oak barrels with 69% being new, with the wine being unfined and unfiltered.
  
  Beginning his adventure 30 years ago, even Paul Hobbs was unsure of the success he may have. Originally sourcing fruit from others, he believed that his first Chardonnay was flawed, yet gaining notoriety from reviewers helped to insure his continuation. Thank goodness for that!
  
  As for today’s wine, I first enjoyed it while pouring it during a wine tasting, it would be the highlight of the wines I served, and likewise of those attending who sampled the wine as well. I remember the beautiful flavors of cassis and blackberry with tannins that give the wine its presence along with nice acidity to balance the wine. Minerality runs through the wine to the long and satisfying finish. Having wine left over allowed me to sample the wine the next day, only to find it had softened only slightly but retained its loveliness.
  
  Today, Paul Hobbs has wines produced from many areas of the world. His dedication and commitment to quality should not be missed by wine drinkers. For those having had the Napa Valley edition, as I said at the beginning "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet!" Give this one a try.
  
  Cheers

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  11/25/2022 - Cmandi Likes this wine:

  Liked it

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  11/25/2022 - Cmandi wrote: 88 Points

  Had it at Doris Metropolitan. Thanksgiving

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  5/5/2022 - Dr. Bee Likes this wine: 94 Points

  Amazing 2018 on show here. After an hour Decant, it popped it's fruit cherry and demonstrated why this is consistently a winner!

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  4/7/2022 - tomoem Likes this wine: 93 Points

  Had at CBCC with Paul's daughter Augustina. This is a really wonderful Cabernet which drinks well above its price point. Tonight we were offered $105/ bottle and i have said before I think a steal. Drinks well above its weight.
  
  Starts with clearly blackberry fruit aromatics and moves on to in-mouth flavors of mulberry, cassis and tobacco leaf. Finish is long and, for me, represents a curious "Coombsville" AVA emergence. Worth finding.

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