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2018 Paul Hobbs Russian River Valley Chardonnay

Not Currently In Auction

Latest Sale Price

February 16, 2025 - $37

Estimate

RATINGS

94Jeb Dunnuck

...loads of white currants, caramelized peach, honeysuckle, and spicy oak aromas and flavors. With good acidity, beautiful purity, and a layered, opulent texture...

93The Wine Advocate

...pretty scents of dried leaves, hay and almonds with underlying spicy notes and a core of honeyed white peaches. Medium-bodied, the palate is silky in texture with savory, spicy character, seamless freshness and a long finish.

93James Suckling

A dense, flavorful white with lovely honey and apple character. Hints of cookies. Full-bodied and very fresh with crisp acidity and a long, flavorful finish. Delicious.

90Wine Spectator

Rich and finely textured, with concentrated pastry accents to the peach cobbler and baked apple flavors. Very spicy midpalate, showing buttery hints on the finish.

PRODUCER

Paul Hobbs

Paul Hobbs is a boutique winery in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County, California. It was founded in 1991 by Paul Hobbs, who worked at Robert Mondavi, Opus One and Simi Winery in various winemaking capacities before starting his own winery. He also consulted in Argentina, and now makes Malbecs from Argentina with other business partners under the Vina Cobos label. Hobbs uses grapes from numerous vineyards under contract to his estate to make well-reviewed Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. His wines from the several Beckstoffer vineyards and the Hyde vineyard are particularly noteworthy. Robert M. Parker Jr. has called Hobbs “one of the great names in winemaking…(he makes) full-throttle, intense wines made with classical European methods.”

REGION

United States, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley

Russian River Valley AVA is named for the river that meanders from Mendocino County in the north until it finally runs into the Pacific Ocean north of San Francisco. The AVA is cool thanks to its proximity to the northern California coast and the river, and grape growers must learn to deal with regular fog. Nevertheless in recent decades the AVA has become one of the best in the state, meaning that its wines often earn excellent reviews and have considerable cachet. The AVA status was awarded in 1983 and today the appellation has 15,000 vineyard acres. Chardonnay is the most widely planted grape though Pinot Noir has also been very successful in recent decades. Russian River Valley Pinot Noir are known for being rich, lush and filled with concentrated fruit and berry flavors. Russian River Pinot Noirs are today considered some of the best domestic Pinot Noirs.

TYPE

White Wine, Chardonnay

This white variety originated in Burgundy, but is now grown around the world. Its flexibility to thrive in many regions translates to wide flavor profile in the market. Chardonnay is commonly used in making Champagne and sparkling wines.

VINTAGE

2018 Paul Hobbs Russian River Valley Chardonnay