COBB Pinot Noir - Sonoma Coast 2021

Description

The 2021 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast has garnered impressive acclaim, earning 94 points from both The Wine Advocate and Decanter. Erin Brooks highlighted its vibrant notes of cranberry, rhubarb, and tobacco leaves, with a light-bodied palate featuring concentrated red fruit supported by chalky tannins and lively acidity, leading to a long, spicy finish. Decanter’s Clive Pursehouse praised the blend of several single vineyards and various clones, noting ethereal aromas of violets, saline minerality, and mint. On the palate, it showcases juicy red berries and richer candied blue fruits, combined with earthen minerals and a refreshing salinity. Vinous awarded it 93 points for its striking fruit purity, emphasising its delightful aromatics and vibrant character, making this vintage a standout choice for Pinot Noir enthusiasts.

*****

Cobb Vineyards is a boutique winery located in the Sonoma Coast region of California, renowned for its focus on producing high-quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Founded by Ross Cobb and his family, the winery is committed to capturing the unique terroir of their vineyards through sustainable farming practices and minimal intervention in the winemaking process.

Cobb Vineyards primarily sources grapes from carefully selected hillside vineyards, which benefit from the cool coastal climate and diverse soils. This environment allows for the production of wines that express vibrant fruit flavours, floral notes, and a sense of place, showcasing the complexity and elegance characteristic of the Sonoma Coast.

The winery is respected for its artisanal approach, with hand-harvesting, small-lot fermentation, and élevage in French oak barrels, resulting in wines that are often described as refined and sophisticated. With a focus on quality and craftsmanship, Cobb Vineyards has gained recognition among wine enthusiasts and collectors, establishing itself as a prominent name in the realm of California Pinot Noir.

After 20 years of bottling small amounts of single vineyard designates from the appellation, we are excited to release the first blend representing the best from the Sonoma Coast. Ross has put together a wine that showcases both his style of wine making, and the cool-climate nature of the Sonoma Coast. This wine is an absolute pleasure, showing giving fruit up front with lots of red notes on the palate and classic structure and acidity that has become a hallmark for Cobb Wines. Though it will age for years like all of Ross’s wines, this bottling can be thoroughly enjoyed the year it is released. Aged in 30% New French Oak for 17 months.

WINE ADVOCATE 94 points
Reviewed by: Erin Brooks
Drink Date: 2025 - 2035
The 2021 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast, made with 40% whole clusters, has ringing tones of cranberry, rhubarb, tobacco leaves and botanical undertones. The light-bodied palate features concentrated, nuanced red fruit supported by a frame of chalky tannins and vibrant acidity, and it has a long, spicy finish. 950 cases produced.
Published: Dec 14, 2023

DECANTER 94 points
Tasted by: Clive Pursehouse
(at Cobb Estate, Abigail's Ranch, California, 31 Jan 2024)
Drinking Window: 2024 - 2035
A blend of several of Ross' single vineyards and a clonal mix of Calera, Swann, Martini and Pommard. It's planted at 100-300m—ethereal aromas of violets, saline minerality and mint. The palate offers willowy, lithe, gorgeous red berries and richer candied blue fruits. The unmistakable elegance of earthen minerals, sea air salinity and pine bough carry this to its finish as if blown on the breezes of the Pacific.

VINOUS 93 points
Drinking Window 2024 - 2031
From: 2022 Sonoma: A First Look (Jan 2024)
The 2021 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast) is a new wine, and what a wine it is! The purity of the fruit is just striking. Ross Cobb blended five sites and several clones to craft this exquisite, vibrant Pinot Noir. Crushed flowers, bright red-toned fruit, orange peel and spice all race across the palate. The 2021 is flat-out gorgeous. That's all there is to it. - By Antonio Galloni on January 2024