2010 Cobb, Pinot Noir, Jack Hill Vineyard, Sonoma Coast.
Ross Cobb’s wines are now some of the state’s leading lights, his wines certainly are some of the finest examples of a new wave of winemaking, this is the movement to focus on balance and delicacy with his cool climate Sonoma Coast wines being some of the cream of the crop. Cobb has been on a roll, making great wines for Hirsch Vineyards and a new project with Banshee has seen some hugely successful wines, as well as his own label set of top notch Pinots, like this new 2010 Jack Hill. I’ve been a fan and have followed the evolution of the Cobb Pinots since the first vintages, these are excellent and highly prized wines. The new Jack Hill Vineyard release is a beautiful and exciting wine full of flavor and refinement, Cobb has crafted a gem here. I think these 2010 wines are starting to awaken and show their true potential and gorgeous nature, these wines look set to surpass 2009, maybe they be even better than 2007 too, this Jack Hill is really impressive. The nose starts it off with dried roses, candied orange peel, kirsch and red fruit leading to a vibrant array of flavors on the palate including cherry, damson plum, red peach flesh, saline, hints of spice, savory elements and fennel. A touch of tangy acidity, silky tannins add just the right amount of firmness and gives life and structure to this deep and classy wine. The finish is still youthful, but leaves a pleasing lingering wild strawberry note as well as a whiff of truffle, overall this is a generous and stylish Pinot Noir, while remaining lifting and with modest alcohol at 13.8%, drink from 2014 to 2019.
($72 Est.) 94 Points, grapelive
avail at www.sfwtc.com ($64.95)