Wine Advisor
Paul Hobbs, Richard Dinner Vineyard Cuvee Agustina Chardonnay 2012
Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The 2012 Chardonnay Cuvee Agustina Richard Dinner Vineyard ratchets up everything that exists in the basic cuvee of Richard Dinner. It is obviously a selection of those barrels that were the richest, most intense and potentially longest-lived. Consume it over the next decade. (Not yet released) Paul Hobbs has built quite an empire, both as a worldwide respected wine consultant and as the owner of his winery in Sonoma Valley. I reviewed his Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon cuvees in Issue 209, and on this visit I tasted through his 2011 and 2012 Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs as well as a few Syrahs. His wines consistently hit all the high notes, and Hobbs continues to be a serious talent. I particularly enjoy his Cross Barn, inexpensive Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The 2011 Chardonnays range from tiny productions of 138 cases for the Ulises Valdez to 3,600 for the Russian River Chardonnay. The 2012s all reveal the tremendous up-front fruit characteristics of this year along with surprisingly high average alcohols, and good fresh acids. Paul Hobbs has introduced two Cross Barn Pinot Noir cuvees, one from the Sonoma Coast and one from Anderson Valley. These wines use a tiny bit of stems during their fermentations, and spend four months in barrel, 15% of which is new. Tasting through these same cuvees in 2012 demonstrated just how gorgeous this vintage is across the board in Northern California. Tel. (707) 824-9879
About the Producer
Paul Hobbs is a winery that advocates respect for nature and adheres to the path of sustainable development, located in the California wine-producing region of the United States. Paul House Winery was founded in 1991 by Paul Hobbs. The establishment of the winery stemmed from Paul's love for fine wine. In 1969, Paul tasted the first delicious wine in his life that his father served for him - Chateau d'Yquem (1962 Chateau d'Yquem). We are determined to build our own winery and produce high-quality wines like Dijin Winery. After unremitting efforts, Paul realized his dream in 1991, and Paul House Winery was built. In 1998, Paul purchased a piece of land in Sebastopol, California, with the intention of turning it into the Katherine Lindsay Estate. In 2005, the Paul Hobbs Beckstoffer - Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon of the winery's 2002 vintage received 100 points from the internationally renowned wine critic Robert Parker, marking a new phase for Paul House Winery. Paul House Winery owns two vineyards, Richard Dinner Vineyard and Hyde Vineyard, located in Sonoma County and Napa Valley respectively . Located on a hillside surrounded by mountains, the Richard Dina vineyard enjoys a mild climate, engulfed by thick fog at night and a large temperature difference between day and night. The soil is dark brown clay with a thick gravel layer at the bottom. Hyde Vineyard was established in 1991 on the northern slopes of San Francisco Bay. The climate in the vineyard is mild, with morning fog and rich alluvial and sandy soils, ideal for Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. Vineyard workers actively advocate sustainable strategies that protect nature and the planet, planting grape varieties such as Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Chardonnay on the vineyard. Paul House Winery is committed to producing wines that can truly reflect the terroir of the vineyard. The winery has released wines such as Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon and Paul Hobbs Richard Dinner Wineyard Chardonnay, which consumers well receive.