2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Hyde Vineyard
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Tasting notes
Saturated ruby color. Complex nose combines black raspberry, plum, black cherry, minerals, currant and mocha; cool but not green. Distinctly more gripping than the Napa Valley bottling, with darker flavors of black cherry, mocha, minerals and tarry oak. Possesses lovely sweetness, not to mention good flesh for its building tannins. In a distinctly cooler, Bordeaux-like style. This wine did not require acidification, Hobbs noted.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
From the cool Carneros region, Hobbs fashioned a sensational 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Hyde Vineyard. Its inky/purple color is accompanied by sweet aromas of graphite interwoven with soil, black currant, and pepper scents. With full body, impressive delineation, and a long, concentrated, deep finish, this 2003 Cabernet will be at its finest between 2007-2020. (Release date 5/06) Tel. (707) 824-9879; Fax (707) 824-5843
Good medium ruby. Dark fruits, tobacco leaf, green pepper and menthol on the nose. Offers good texture but limited sweetness; seems a bit loosely knit. Tannins are reasonably ripe, but the finish shows more menthol and pepper than ripe fruit.
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.