2001 Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard
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Tasting notes
Bright, full ruby. Wonderfully perfumed, complex nose offers scents of red- and blackcurrant, black cherry, licorice, mint, tobacco, cedar and minerals; a quantum leap beyond the earlier vintages in complexity, ripeness and class. Plush, fleshy and generous, but with ripe, penetrating acidity giving shape and verve to its classic Cabernet flavors of dark berries, bitter chocolate, menthol, dried herbs and spices. As seamless as this is, its intense fruit is still quite juicy and lively. The very long attention-grabber of a finish features firm, well-integrated tannins. This wine was tightly wound but very promising when I first tasted it in 2004 and it is evolving beautifully. Today it shows an element of sweetness that the earlier vintages lacked. (3.77 pH; 5.8 g/l acidity)
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Deep, full ruby. Cassis, bitter chocolate and mint on the nose; if the Hyde cabernet is in the style of Bordeaux, this is quintessential Napa Valley. Tightly wound and extremely primary, with flavors of black fruits, licorice and menthol. Very firmly built, even a bit ungiving today, with the wine's 85% new oak component contributing to its substantial tannic clout. Will merit an even higher score if bottle aging brings more generosity of texture.
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.