2022 Paul Hobbs - Chardonnay Russian River Valley (750ml)

Paul Hobbs founded his namesake winery in 1991 with a philosophy built around sustainable, minimal-intervention farming and meticulous attention to site. In 1998 he purchased the Katherine Lindsay Estate in Sebastopol, later building a winery there designed by architect Howard Backen and completed in 2003. Hobbs has since become one of California's most respected winemakers, splitting his time between Sonoma County and Argentina while also consulting for wineries around the world. His portfolio spans vineyard-designate and appellation wines from Napa Valley and Sonoma County, with Chardonnay from the Russian River Valley standing as one of the estate's signature offerings.

The Russian River Valley appellation sits between the Russian River and the Mayacamas Mountains, where morning fog pushed in through the Petaluma Gap tempers the warmth of afternoon sun, an ideal climate for Chardonnay. Grapes for this vintage were hand-harvested from select vineyards across the valley, then fermented to preserve fruit purity and aged in French oak, roughly thirty percent of it new, for added texture and spice without overwhelming the wine's natural brightness.

The wine opens with fresh salted pineapple, honeyed citrus, and fresh flowers, moving into baked peach, apple, and a touch of matchstick complexity. Medium to full-bodied, it carries generous, gently honeyed fruit alongside integrated spice through a long, soft finish. It pairs nicely with roast turkey, seared scallops, or a creamy brie.