Paul Hobbs, Crossbarn Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, USA, 2021

Producer Profile

Raised on a farm on the east coast of the United States, Paul Hobbs grew up in a teetotal household – but this did not stop his first taste of wine being Chateau d’Yquem!

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 that he is a driven perfectionist whose hard work has paid off with numerous 100-point scores from the critics. However, to stop there would be to do Paul an injustice. Notwithstanding his mainstream winemaking training at UC Davis, Paul was an early advocate of low intervention methods. Since the late 1980s, long before it was popular, Paul was using wild yeast to ferment, and organic vineyard management techniques to get the best from his vines and protect the land. Like his wines, he is a complicated, multi-layered man. Yet across all his ranges, there is an elegance and lightness of touch that reminds you there is a truly talented winemaker at work here.

Viticulture

Named after the one hundred fifty year old ‘cross barn’ located on the Hobbs family farm in upstate New York, Crossbarn honours the values of hard work and integrity instilled in Paul from his childhood. With a commitment to sustainably nurturing the vineyards, while using labour-intensive winemaking techniques, Crossbarn wines offer a pure and youthful expression of fruit. With a commitment to sustainably nurturing the vineyards, while using labour-intensive winemaking techniques, Crossbarn wines offer a pure and youthful expression of fruit blended from diverse vineyards within California’s finest appellations. Produced using hand-harvested fruit from carefully selected vineyards within the Napa Valley appellation, Crossbarn Cabernet Sauvignon offers structure and weight in balance with pure, concentrated fruit.

Winemaking

Hand-harvested at night; 5-day cold soak, 24-day maceration; native and select fermentations; 13% new French oak, barrel aged 18 months; bottled unfined.

Tasting Note

This wine presents a deep ruby colour, with aromas of crushed violets, redcurrant, and black plum. The palate is rich with concentrated dark fruits, layered with hints of dried herbs and cacao. Firm tannins and vibrant acidity lend structure and energy, carrying through to a long, refined finish.

Food Matching

Lamb shanks, casserole and game bird.