Source: http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/thestew/2011/02/ten-at-10-best-italian-foods-in-chicago-.html
Stag\\\'s Leap Stags\\\' Leap Santa Barbara Shafer Shafer Firebreak
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
The Italian Cloud Descends Upon Sir Harry
It's always a bit odd for me when I find myself securely in America, yet surrounded by a foreign language to the point of having english squeezed out of the picture. Of course one is accustomed to and expects this...
St. Clement Staglin Stag\\\'s Leap Stags\\\' Leap Santa Barbara
Five Easy Winter Projects for Winery Marketers
It’s November, post-Harvest and going into slow season for winery marketers. �Thought I would put together a short list of projects that may make your life easier in 2011 with a little time put in during the winter. 1. �Claim your winery on location based services and review sites. Even if you don’t use the [...]
Source: http://familylovewine.wordpress.com/2010/11/21/five-easy-winter-projects-for-winery-marketers/
Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Pinot Noir Syrah or Shiraz Zinfandel
Tasting Report: 2008 Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir Russian River Valley
From the first sip I could see my way to the 94 point rating Wine Spectator bestowed upon the 2008 Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir Russian River Valley - and that's not always the way it goes. The wine immediately reminded me of some of my favorite California Pinot Noirs. It's more restrained than the Kosta Brownes I've had, and doesn't have the earthy nuances I've enjoyed in Sea Smoke's wines. It delivers generous fruit, but it also has this subtle tobacco leaf note I've enjoyed in wines from Clary Ranch and Belle Glos Las Alturas.
For me, a great Pinot Noir is as much about what it doesn't have. So many reveal stemmy/green aromas that I find distracting. Some of my favorites (Zepaltas, Radio-Coteau, and Red Car) succeed for their vibrant purity, lacking any off notes.
This wine isn't necessarily a bargain play at $45. I just think it absolutely steps up and delivers exactly what I'm looking for in a Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. And that's what I expect in a $45 domestic bottle of wine.
It might be hard to find the 08 around anymore and the 09 is already in stores (2009 will probably be a more highly regarded vintage for California Pinot Noir). I'll look forward to trying the 09. Note this isn't the "Crossbarn" bottling I'm referring to which sells in the $30s. I haven't had that wine but just thought to point it out in case you see the Crossbarn pop up in searches.
Here are my notes:
2008 Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir Russian River Valley
14.5% Alcohol
3,644 Cases Produced
$45 Release Price
Purchased at: Hingham Wine Merchant
Visually it's slightly dark for Pinot and perhaps veers more towards purple than it should. On the nose it is very pleasant with freshly cut strawberries and a hint of tobacco leaf. On the palate is where this wine really steps up and leaves $20 Pinot Noirs behind. It pours on clean elegant fruit and adds some beautiful slightly-sweet spicy flavors. Silky smooth without a hint of a green or off note. Man, I wish I would have bought more of this.
95/100 WWP: Classic
See other reviews on CellarTracker
Find it in retail shops on Wine-Searcher.com
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