Raised on a farm on the east coast of the United States, Paul Hobbs grew up in a tee-total household but this did not stop his first taste of wine being Chateau Y'quem. It is tempting to say 'and the rest is history' and leave it at that, but there is so much more to this man.
Paul came to winemaking via studying to be a doctor and this scientific background and attention to detail has helped hone his approach to crafting wonderfully precise, complex wines in California, and around the world. He has famously been called the 'Steve Jobs' of wine by Forbes magazine and it is clear he is a driven perfectionist whose hard work has paid off with numerous 100 points scores from the critics. However, to stop there would do Paul an injustice. Notwithstanding his mainstream winemaking training at USC Davis, Paul has been a long advocate of low intervention methods.
Viticulture
Produced using hand-harvested fruit from carefully selected vineyards within the Sonoma Coast appellation, CrossBarn Pinot Noir offers structure and complexity in balance with pure concentrated fruit.
Winemaking
Hand picked at night with a 13 day total maceration in open top tanks, 7% whole clusters. Fermented using native with malolactic fermentation. 10 months aged sur lie in French oak barrels, 10% new Unfined
Oak Treatment
Time: 10 months
Type: French
% wine oaked: 100
% new oak: 12
Tasting Note
Bright ruby in colour and scented with raspberry and Darjeeling tea, this lively expression of Sonoma Coast pinot noir emerges from the glass in layers of blackberry and cherry with subtle hints of vanillin and clean earth. Supple tannins and balanced acidity grace a long finish.
Food Matching
Pinot Noir with mushrooms, their earthiness is a great match with Pinot!