Paul Hobbs George Menini Estate Chardonnay 2020 Front Label

Paul Hobbs George Menini Estate Chardonnay 2020

Chardonnay from Russian River, Sonoma County, California

RP95
JD95
WS92

750ML / 14.2% ABV

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2021

JS95
WS93

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750ML / 14.2% ABV

Winemaker Notes

This inaugural release displays pale straw and an elixir of gardenia florals, Asian pear, and baking spice. Flint and lemongrass, with a vibrant sea-salt and crushed rock mineral element. Soft texture, weighty mid-palate, tension, crunchy acidity.

Critical Acclaim

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RP 95

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2020 Chardonnay George Menini Estate is a barrel sample of a brand new cuvée from Paul Hobbs, from a new vineyard they recently purchased and redeveloped, located in the Sebastopol Hills. A former apple orchard, they planted the sloping Goldridge soils with 37 acres of heritage selection Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. "I have no clue what the oak regimen will end up being," Paul Hobbs muses during our tasting together. "We made it the way we typically make our wines." Winemaker Jennie Murphy, who has been with Paul Hobbs for a decade, explains, "It's a new vineyard for us, so we have to figure out what we have. We will do lots of studies of blocks, clones, barrels, etc." This first look at the George Menini Chardonnay is promising. It offers scents of bruised apples, white peaches, citrus blossoms and new oak spices. Medium-bodied and textural, it has youthfully blocky fruits, integrated freshness and satisfying length. I'm excited to see what this new vineyard will bring to the Hobbs portfolio.
Barrel Sample: 93-95

JD 95

Jeb Dunnuck

The 2020 Chardonnay George Menini Estate is lifted with fresh tarragon, flint, and candied green apple. The palate is all about its chalky mineral texture and vibrant energy. Not to confuse this with losing balance or feeling underripe, it has plenty of fruit, with lemon confit, fresh green apple, and a touch of warming baking spice. Allow another year or two in cellar and drink 2023-2034.

WS 92

Wine Spectator

Yellow apple, dried pineapple and lemon meringue flavors are fresh and generous, accented with notes of nutmeg and orange sherbet and backed by vibrant acidity. Drink now through 2034.

Paul Hobbs

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Paul Hobbs Paul Hobbs Winery Winery Image

Paul Hobbs Paul Hobbs in the Barrel Room Winery Image

Pioneering winemaker Paul Hobbs established his namesake winery in 1991 with the vision and dedication to sustainably craft wines with minimal intervention and meticulous care to capture the purist concept of place. Widely recognized for forging new paths in pursuit of excellence, Paul Hobbs Winery is the pinnacle reflection of our desire to showcase the individuality of new and historical sites in Napa Valley and Sonoma County.

Russian River Valley Wine

Sonoma County, California

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A standout region for its decidedly Californian take on Burgundian varieties, the Russian River Valley is named for the eponymous river that flows through it. While there are warm pockets of the AVA, it is mostly a cool-climate growing region thanks to breezes and fog from the nearby Pacific Ocean.

Chardonnay and Pinot Noir reign supreme in Russian River, with the best examples demonstrating a unique combination of richness and restraint. The cool weather makes Russian River an ideal AVA for sparkling wine production, utilizing the aforementioned varieties. Zinfandel also performs exceptionally well here. Within the Russian River Valley lie the smaller appellations of Chalk Hill and Green Valley. The former, farther from the ocean, is relatively warm, with a focus on red and white Bordeaux varieties. The latter is the coolest, foggiest parcel of the Russian River Valley and is responsible for outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Chardonnay Wine

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One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.

HNYPAUGCH20C_2020 Item# 1163381