Cobb 2019: “terrific” Sonoma Pinot Noir

“Some of the most beguiling, transparent Pinots in all of California” are made, according to Antonio Galloni, by Ross Cobb. We have just tasted the 2019s from Cobb’s eponymous Sonoma estate and we were extremely impressed. These are superbly crafted cool-climate wines of delicacy and finesse.

Ross Cobb is a winemaker with an impressive CV. He worked at Williams Selyem and Flowers before becoming head winemaker at Hirsch. Six years on and the reputation of Hirsch established, Cobb set up his own estate in 2001. The vines are located in the far west of Sonoma Coast just three miles from the ocean. The cool breezes and high elevation here are ideal for complex, cool climate Pinot Noir – the style for which Cobb has become renowned.

Cobb makes several different single site Pinot Noirs with a focus on vineyard expression. He picks the grapes relatively early, then vinifies them with around 50% whole bunches. The wines are matured in French oak, of which around half is new, for 22 months, to allow the flavours to harmonise.

2019 was a cool vintage in Sonoma, giving wines with particular energy and tension at Cobb. Galloni describes them as “terrific” – and we agree. If you like elegant, detailed Pinot Noir, try these.

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