2021 Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir Goldrock Estate West Sonoma Coast

Tasting notes

Located in the far northwestern corner of the West Sonoma Coast, our remote estate in Annapolis delivers a wine that is vivid ruby in the glass with aromas of wild strawberry, raspberry, and a hint of anise. The palate is focused with well-integrated layers of blueberry, cranberry, and bergamot. A lifted acidity and silky texture add tension to the lingering finish, followed by hints of damp earth and red clay.

Vintage Notes

One of the best vintages in recent memory, 2021 will be remembered for its intensely flavored berries, a smooth harvest and most importantly, exquisitely balanced, nuanced, and vivid wines. The season began with historically low rainfall which, coupled with a cold winter, delayed bud break. However, despite the cooler start to the year, the remainder of the season proved to be temperate with no relevant unfavorable weather events. Warm temps and mild May weather conditions, for example, favored a compact bloom and an
extremely uniform fruit set with highly desirable small berries and moderately sized, well-spaced clusters.
Meanwhile, summer’s long, cool mornings and warm afternoons permitted the fruit on the vine to take a slow, leisurely ride to full maturity—excellent for the physiological fruit development we prize. Harvest kicked-off punctually at 12:01 am, September 6, and after six glorious weeks, blessed our house with a fine crop of remarkably delicious, energetic, young wines.

Viticulture

Vineyard
 Clonal selection: 115, 777
 Rootstock: rg
 Plant date: 2005
 Soils: Goldridge fine sandy loam
 Exposure: full exposure
 Trellis and pruning: bilateral cane

Harvest
 Hand-harvested at night, shears only
 Harvest dates: September 8-13

Vinification

Winemaking
 Hand-sorted while still cold from the field; 14% whole cluster inclusion
 Indigenous yeast fermentation
 5-day cold soak, 17-day maceration
 Gentle punchdowns
 Spontaneous malolactic fermentation in barrel
 Aged 15 months in French oak barrels; 29% new
 Bottled unfined and unfiltered; January 2023