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

Paul Hobbs grew up on a working farm in upstate New York, where tasting the same apple variety grown just miles apart in different orchards first revealed to him how profoundly terroir shapes fruit. He founded his namesake winery in 1991, building a reputation for meticulous, minimal-intervention winemaking that lets individual vineyard sites speak clearly through the glass. Hobbs splits his time between Sonoma County and Argentina, and his work across Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah has earned him recognition as one of California's most influential winemakers.

This Chardonnay is sourced from the Russian River Valley, an appellation shaped by cooling fog and ocean breezes that funnel in through the Petaluma Gap each morning. That marine influence, balanced against warm afternoon sun, gives the region ideal conditions for Chardonnay with both richness and lift. The 2022 vintage was raised with 30 percent new French oak, a proportion consistent with most of Hobbs's Chardonnay program, adding structure without overwhelming the fruit.

The nose shows sliced apple, honeyed citrus, salted pineapple, and white flowers, with tangerine peel adding brightness. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied with a creamy, lithe texture, finishing long with notes of peach, apricot, and spiced oak. Serve it with roast pork, seared salmon, or a soft triple-cream cheese.