This is a featured post from Gary Vaynerchuk’s Daily Grape Newsletter
Grape
100% Pinot Noir
Rating
91 Points
Price
$68 MSRP
Gary’s explanation:
California Pinot Noir producers have one man to thank for the ability to routinely price their wines over $50: Rex Pickett. The author of the book-made-movie, Sideways, single handedly skyrocketed the popularity of Pinot Noir almost overnight with his $71 million grossing blockbuster. Yet so much of the Golden State’s Pinot Noir is overpriced, overrated, and overripe… it almost seems like some winemakers are blending in Syrah!
Enter Ross Cobb, former assistant winemaker at some of California’s most classic wineries, like Bonny Doon Vineyard, Williams Selyem, and Flowers Vineyard. In 2001, with the help of his father, Cobb created Cobb Vineyards. Today he just seems to be hitting his stride, with wines that can compete or surpass the Pinots made at his Alma Mater. These are elegant and well-structured, but undeniably delicious in true California fashion. Another tip: Watch for the wines from Hirsch Vineyards, where Cobb also resides as head winemaker.
Gary’s tasting note:
This nose is far more interesting than the Cobb Joy Road. Taffy, coffee, black pepper, and hints of chocolate. Little hints of grain, beef jerky, soy sauce, violets and some sour plum skin. Finishes with a bacon, burnt rubber and it’s surprising to me how much I like this wine more than the Joy Road.
