2003 Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon Stagecoach Vineyard
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Tasting notes
Good medium ruby. Tight aromas of black cherry liqueur, dark chocolate, iron and minerals. Suave and lush if not hugely concentrated, but this conveys an impression of refinement and offers very good life in the mouth. The tannins hit the palate later, offering the flavors a chance to expand.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
From an Oakville hillside vineyard, the 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Stagecoach Vineyard possesses a dense purple color, a scorched earth/broodingly backward, volcanic style, and extraordinary concentration as well as richness. A tightly-knit personality and a tannic structure suggest patience will be required. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2022. (Release date 9/06) Tel. (707) 824-9879; Fax (707) 824-5843
(the fruit from this rocky vineyard went into the Napa Valley bottling in 2002) Good medium ruby. Dusty blackberry, cassis, licorice and menthol on the nose. Juicy but tightly wound, with a cassis flavor intensified by bright acids. A bit youthfully aggressive at present, with the wine's fairly strong tannins currently dominating its fruit. But this is pure and nicely delineated cabernet with the structure to develop in bottle.
About the producer
Paul Hobbs is one of California wine’s biggest names. Twice named Wine Personality of the Year by Robert Parker, he joined Robert Mondavi in 1977, worked at Opus One and Simi before setting up his eponymous winery in 1991.