2014 Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir Ulises Valdez Vineyard
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Tasting notes
The 2014 Pinot Noir Ulises Valdez Vineyard is a deep, authoritative wine. Savory herb, tobacco, licorice and spice notes give the wine its earthy, savory personality. Aromatic and powerful at the same time, the 2014 needs a bit of time to unwind, but it is deeply expressive. There is more than enough underlying structure to support a handful of years of cellaring, perhaps more. The 2014 is powerful and a bit wild, with slightly rustic tannins, but it also has tons of personality. This is the last vintage of the Ulises Valdez for Paul Hobbs.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Medium to deep ruby-purple colored, the 2014 Pinot Noir Ulises Valdez Vineyard gives a beautifully scented nose of fragrant earth, bay leaves lavender and garrigue with a core of black cherries and black raspberries. Full-bodied, rich and seductively fruited in the mouth, it has very fine-grained tannins and great freshness, finishing long with an herbal lift.
The three most limited cuvées of Pinot Noir in 2014 include the 2014 Pinot Noir Ulises Valdez, which has a dense purple color (looking more like Cabernet than Pinot), a terrific nose of rose petals, blueberries and black raspberries, an opulent, even sumptuous texture, and a full-bodied finish. This is a sensational Pinot to drink over the next 10-15 years.
The 2014 Pinot Noir Ulises Valdez Vineyard possesses notable purity and depth, but it also comes across as a bit raw and not fully formed. There is plenty to admire in the wine's explosive energy. It will be interesting to see if the new oak and overall impression of elevated ripeness mellow out a bit over time.
About the producer
Paul Hobbs is one of California wine’s biggest names. Twice named Wine Personality of the Year by Robert Parker, he joined Robert Mondavi in 1977, worked at Opus One and Simi before setting up his eponymous winery in 1991.
Product details
Red