Paul Hobbs
About Paul Hobbs
The name Paul Hobbs has become synonymous with Napa Valley "cult" wine. A legend in his own time, he has made enormous contributions to fine wine around the world. Paul Hobbs himself was something of prodigious agricultural talent, growing up on an orchard where his green-fingered tendencies were nurtured by his father. Initially studying chemistry at university, Hobbs proceeded to venture West to gain a Master's degree in Viticulture and Enology in California - the rest is history.
With a solid academic background coupled with a natural feel for the cultivation of vines thanks to his formative years, Hobbs' talents were soon recognised by the legendary Robert Mondavi, and he quickly rose to become his most trusted colleague - Paul Hobbs was instrumental in the creation of Opus One.
The time came, as is only fitting for such a winemaker, for Hobbs to produce his wines, his way, under his own label in 2003. Miniscule production and a relentless pursuit of excellence above all else are the markers of such a producer - Paul Hobbs certainly conforms to these.
Paul Hobbs Wines
Hobbs produces a range of powerful yet classical Cabernet Sauvignon, and a hauntingly elegant Pinot Noir. He has consistently pioneered the Napa Valley trend of moving away from the super-ripe, extracted style of wines which were dubbed "fruit bombs" by unenthusiastic critics, to low intervention expressions of time, place and of course beautiful terroir.
He also consults with – and making – wine at dozens of top estates from Cahors to Napa to Argentina. His latest project, Viña Cobos, is one of the most exciting in Argentina.
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Wine Advocate (100)
The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard has a Mission Haut-Brion-on-steroids character, as it seems to be all gravel pit. Loads of wet pebbles, graphite, blueberry and blackberry fruit, a full-bodied opulence, and just a killer, skyscraper-like mouthfeel and stunning finish make for one of the most provocative and fabulous wines in this portfolio. Drink it over the next 25+ years. This is world-class and can stand up against anything made in 2013, as could the following wines as well.HK$8,765.00 -
Wine Advocate (100)
The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard has a Mission Haut-Brion-on-steroids character, as it seems to be all gravel pit. Loads of wet pebbles, graphite, blueberry and blackberry fruit, a full-bodied opulence, and just a killer, skyscraper-like mouthfeel and stunning finish make for one of the most provocative and fabulous wines in this portfolio. Drink it over the next 25+ years. This is world-class and can stand up against anything made in 2013, as could the following wines as well.HK$46,060.00 -
Wine Advocate (100)
Produced from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and sporting a deep garnet-purple color, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr Crane Vineyard offers up a profound and singular nose of loam, rocks and iron ore over a core of black cherries, baked black berries and preserved plums with hints of licorice, dark chocolate, cedar, sautéed herbs and beef broth. Full-bodied, rich and demonstrating great depth with a wonderfully compelling personality, it delivers a multitude of savory meat and toast layers, framed by firm, fine-grained tannins. It finishes with incredible persistence, allowing those provocative mineral nuances to shine through.HK$13,760.00 -
Wine Advocate (99)
Deep garnet-purple, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr Crane Vineyard leaps from the glass with opulent crème de cassis, raspberry tart and black forest cake notions plus underlying cigar box, mocha, licorice and forest floor suggestions. Full-bodied, rich, spicy and decadently generous in the mouth, it has a firm, velvety foundation and wonderful precision, featuring an invigorating lift on the very long, multilayered and provocatively earthy finish. 815 cases were made.HK$11,135.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (100)
Needing plenty of air to show at its best, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Dr. Crane Vineyard is a sensational, gorgeous Napa Valley Cabernet that delivers the goods like only this region can. Pure Cabernet magic on the nose, with deep blackcurrants, smoked tobacco, lead pencil, and a kiss of spring flowers as well as a beautiful Pessac-Leognan-like scorched earth character, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, silky tannins, no hard edges, and a great, great finish. It's one of those wines that builds incrementally on the palate and it's only after the second or third sip that you realize how special this wine is. It also offers that rare mix of power and elegance that's the hallmark of all great wines. It needs a couple hours in the decanter if drinking any time soon. It will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and cruise for 20-30 years in cold cellars. Hats off to Paul Hobbs for an incredible Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.HK$6,025.00 -
Vinous (95)
A rich, unctuous wine, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard possesses magnificent richness and depth. Today, the 2012 is quite open and opulent, in the classic style for the year. Sweet red cherry, plum, spice, mocha and new leather are all pushed forward in a sexy, voluptuous wine to drink over the next 10-15 years. This is a classic 2012 with plenty of near and medium term appeal.HK$4,165.00 -
Wine Advocate (98)
The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard displays loads of charcoal, barbecue smoke, blueberry and blackberry fruit, an opulent, full-bodied mouthfeel, and hints of charcoal and subtle oak in a full-bodied, multi-dimensional style. Drink it over the next 20 years.HK$4,165.00 -
Wine Advocate (98)
The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard displays loads of charcoal, barbecue smoke, blueberry and blackberry fruit, an opulent, full-bodied mouthfeel, and hints of charcoal and subtle oak in a full-bodied, multi-dimensional style. Drink it over the next 20 years.HK$9,685.00 -
Wine Advocate (95+)
Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and displaying a deep garnet-purple color, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard opens with pronounced crème de cassis, mocha, black forest cake and cloves over lavender, bay leaf and menthol nuances. Full-bodied, concentrated and seductive, it has a gorgeous velvety texture and plenty of freshness lifting the opulent flavors, finishing with a spices and herbs kick.HK$4,165.00 -
Wine Advocate (95+)
Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon and displaying a deep garnet-purple color, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard opens with pronounced crème de cassis, mocha, black forest cake and cloves over lavender, bay leaf and menthol nuances. Full-bodied, concentrated and seductive, it has a gorgeous velvety texture and plenty of freshness lifting the opulent flavors, finishing with a spices and herbs kick.HK$18,350.00 -
Wine Advocate (98+)
Inky purple-black in color, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard gives up notes of blueberry compote, preserved plums and ripe blackberries with touches of incense, dried Mediterranean herbs, menthol and aniseed plus a waft of mossy bark. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is very fine and wonderfully elegant, with incredibly ripe, silt-like tannins and just enough freshness to support the black and blue fruit layers, finishing on a lingering exotic spice note. This beauty should age very well indeed. 353 cases were made.HK$15,510.00 -
Wine Advocate (98)
Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard opens with provocative notions of crushed rocks, fertile loam and truffles with a core of warm cassis, blackberry pie and wild blueberries with touches of camphor and cloves. Medium to full-bodied and built like a brick house, it packs in the muscular fruit layers with compelling red fruit sparks, framed by firm, grainy tannins and finishing very long and very earthy. 402 cases produced.HK$4,165.00 -
Vinous (96)
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras Vineyard is such a gorgeous and highly representative wine off this site. Crushed rocks, graphite, menthol, crème de cassis and spice are so typical of this site. At this stage, the Piedras does not have the sheer appeal or immediacy of the Crane, but then again, that is Piedras. All of this fruit is Clone 4, which in this rugged site yields very small berries with plenty of concentration. And that is exactly what comes through in this majestic Cabernet.HK$4,485.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (99)
Coming from a rockier site no more than a stone’s throw from Dr. Crane Vineyard, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Beckstoffer Las Piedras is more meaty and savory, with lots of red and black fruits as well as loads of rocky, earthy minerality, spring flower, tobacco, and lead pencil-like nuances. Just beautifully balanced on the palate, it's full-bodied and elegant, with silky tannins, no hard edges, and one incredible finish. It's more red fruited than the Dr. Crane, yet it has a similar ethereal, weightless style that makes it such a joy to drink, even today. Given its balance, purity, and freshness, I have no doubt it will evolve for 25+ years, and I'm probably underrating it by a point.HK$4,800.00