Cobb Wines

Cobb Wines

One of the top producers on the Sonoma Coast, Cobb Wines was founded by David Cobb in 2001. Their story has a long history beginning in 1989 when David Cobb began cultivating Pinot Noir vines at his small Coastlands Vineyard, perched literally right overlooking the Sonoma coast. This was a revolutionary site for planting Pinot Noir but David had a background working as marine ecologist and spent much of his time learning about soils and climatological charts in trying to find a great place to grow Pinot Noir. He reasoned that the Sonoma Coast provided a good amount of heat, morning fog to keep temperatures moderate, and plenty of wind to protect the grapes from rot. 

Cobb Wines combines the wine-growing expertise of David Cobb—one of the first big players in Pinot Noir viticulture on the far Sonoma Coast—with the winemaking talents of his son, Ross Cobb. Ross has a long resume, including previous stints at famed producers Ferrari-Carano, and Williams Selyem, where he served as viticulturist and enologist.

In 2001, a mere 130 cases of Cobb Wines were made. Now their production has increased considerably. The new Cobb Wines Pinot Noir show amazing terroir and structure. The salinity in the wines is just magical. Look to the 2016 Cobb Wines ‘Rice-Spivak Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 95) which has insanely good range and minerality. Nearly as good was the 2016 Cobb Wines ‘Jack Hill’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 94) which has amazing texture and elegance as well as bright citrus tones. Learn more about Cobb wines at http://cobbwines.com Here are the impressive new releases from Cobb.

2016 Cobb ‘Rice-Spivak Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The Rice-Spivak vineyard, owned by Russell Rice, is a six acre vineyard located in the Sonoma Coast AVA. There is an usually large amount of volcanic ash in the vineyard soils. The 2016 ‘Rice-Spivak Vineyard’ Pinot Noir is a stunning wine that takes on very pretty aromatics with ripe plum, red cherry compote, cran-pomegranate and white truffle oil. The aromatic range is wonderful and takes you back to the glass for more enjoyment. The minerality and weight of the wine is truly outstanding, as is the strong salinity and lip-smacking acidity. Cran-pomegranate, blood orange zest, volcanic earth and peat moss flavors all show some insane range. While this is drinking marvelously right now, the wine will have an exceedingly long life in the cellar. Drink 2019-2033- 95

2016 Cobb ‘Jack Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The Jack Hill Vineyard spans a mere two acres, located in the freestone valley and surrounded by old oak and Douglass Fir trees. The nose takes on wonderfully earthy terroir with red fruits and citrus rind that round out the aromatic profile. On the palate, the wine has a silky mouthfeel and beautiful texture. Powerful and intense, with a surprising viscosity and tension, the wine shows blood orange, forest floor, wet stone and red cherry candy flavors. Sinfully good now, the wine will cellar well for a decade or more. Drink 2019-2033- 94

2016 Cobb ‘Diane Cobb: Coastlands Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The Coastlands Vineyard was first planted in 1989 and is located a mere four miles from the Pacific Ocean, having a strong maritime influence. The earthy aromatics take you in with black truffle and peat moss dominating the red fruits and citrus components at the moment. On the mouth, the wine shows a silky texture and unveils a distinctively dark fruit and mineral driven flavor profile. The salinity here is really nice. Delicious now, enjoy this over the next decade or so. Drink 2019-2030- 93

2016 Cobb ‘Coastlands Vineyard: Old Firs Block’ Pinot Noir- Located nearby a set of 275 year old Douglass Fir trees, this block is set at the top of the vineyard at 1200 feet. A strong saline driven nose starts this off, with citrus rind and red fruits connecting with the saline driven aromatics. Soft and delicate, the wine shows a silky mouthfeel with light red fruits, citrus rind and forest floor flavors. This shows serious range and terroir. Drink 2019-2030- 93

2016 Cobb ‘Monticue Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- This is the first year that Cobb has produced wine from this vintage. The vineyard was planted in 2010 and is located just up the road from the Emmaline Anne Vineyard, roughly five miles from the Pacific Ocean. This translucent Pinot Noir starts off with aromatics reminiscent of wet stone, peat moss, wild blackberry and huckleberry compote. The palate shows a strong salinity and gobs of mouth-watering acidity. Black fruits mingle with citrus rind and earthy undertones. Vibrant, with some serious poise, this stunning Pinot Noir will cellar well for fifteen plus years. Drink 2019-2033- 94

2016 Cobb ‘Emmaline Anne Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Located in the Sonoma Coast AVA, the Emmaline Anne Vineyard is planted to Dijon clone 115 and 777. The wine begins with intense aromas of black truffle crudo, cigar ash, and wild blackberry cobbler with a touch of citrus rind. The palate has a wonderful viscosity and texture, leading to dark fruit and citrus rind driven flavors that connect with beautiful earthy undertones. Highly complex and downright delicious, this terroir driven effort is drinking marvelously right now. Drink 2019-2030- 94