2020 Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon Crossbarn
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Tasting notes
Coming mostly from Alexander Valley fruit, the 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon pours a dark but transparent ruby red, and its aromatics are ripe with notes of red plum, mocha, and fresh earth. It delivers gushing fruit up front, with kirsch, tea leaf, and gravelly earth. Its ripe tannins turn a touch drying on the finish, but this is an outstanding wine with a ton of value. Drink over the next few years. Crossbarn was founded in 2000 by Paul Hobbs and is focused on Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon from Sonoma and Napa. Notably, an increased proportion of estate fruit has been going into production over the past five years, with 90% used in the 2021 vintage and 98% in the 2022 vintage, which has undoubtedly raised the bar on the value these wines offer. 21,000 cases were produced in 2021.
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Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
There's no Sonoma version from the 2020 vintage, but consumers can still enjoy the 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, a blend of Oakville and Coombsville fruit. Picking was curtailed early because of the fires, and with the year's heat, there's only 50% of the usual volume. This medium to full-bodied effort is cedary despite seeing only a small proportion of new oak, with the wine's cassis fruit carried on a slightly coarse, open-knit palate that finishes a bit dry and astringent.
The 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon Crossbarn is enjoyable, with some darker, plummy fruits as well as a more savory, grippy style on the palate. A blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot and Merlot, drink this charming, nicely fruited Cabernet over the coming 2-4 years.
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.