Paul Hobbs 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Paul Hobbs’s 2021 Coombsville Cabernet Sauvignon steps into the glass with refined energy. The nose offers luscious cassis and blackberry, lifted by graphite whispers, polished leather, and a hint of incense—calmly expressive, not loud or showy.

On the palate, the wine gains structure without sacrificing generosity. Concentrated dark fruit folds into savory tobacco, dried herbs, and dark chocolate. Tannins are ultra-fine and seamlessly textured, kept agile by underlying acidity, leading into a long, mineral‑tinged finish.

This Cabernet is rooted in a place known for balance—Coombsville, the southeastern ridge of Napa. A cool-climate edge combined with volcanic and loamy soils gives wines here a darker fruit profile and chalky tension. Hobbs ferments in small stainless tanks with native yeasts, macerates for nearly a month, and ages the wine in top-tier French oak (approximately 50%).

The vineyard context deepens the connection. Coombsville is more than terroir—it’s an AVA defined by patience. Hobbs has tended this land since acquiring his estate there in 2012, building a portfolio that feels deliberate, not designed.

Critics heard the restraint and rewarded it. Jeb Dunnuck praised its “sensational purity,” long structure, and seamless texture. Wine Advocate praised its concentration, silky finish, and value. Overall, the wine landed in the 93–95 point range across top publications.

This Cabernet doesn’t command attention with flash—it earns it through tension, clarity, and quietly layered detail. It feels like Napa introduced itself in verse, not a shout.