2012 Hobel Cabernet Sauvignon - 1.5L
Napa Valley
The Wine
2012 was an amazing year for us - not only were we lucky enough to have a
great vintage, but we also welcomed our first daughter, Coco Joon, just
after harvest! The best growing season we have seen in many years set
the stage for the 2012 Hobel Cabernet to be the best wine we have
produced thus far. Aromas of cedar, sweet oak, vanilla bean, flowers
and spices combine with a medley of boysenberry, cassis and blackberries
on the nose. This super-concentrated fruit profile then passes through
to the palate and is framed by hints of chocolate, minerals and sweet,
round tannins. There is great length here, and with the density that we
are seeing in the wine, we can only imagine the great things to come for
"Coco's Vintage" with several years of bottle age.
The Vintage
2012 was a very good year for the Engelhard Vineyard. The heavier
March rains were perfectly spaced to saturate the ground and protect
against spring frosts. Colder weather in April slowed budbreak until the
arrival of warmer spring temperatures, and lighter April and May
showers provided the perfect conditions to support bloom in mid-May.
Warm daytime temperatures throughout the summer allowed for steady
development of the berries, and cooler nighttime temperatures allowed
for good acid buildup. Sunscreening was applied and removed routinely
throughout the summer as required to manage canopy temperatures and
berry sun exposures. Because of the heavier 2012 crop load, our vineyard
management team performed additional cluster thinning to ensure the
highest quality fruit. As harvest approached, Thomas sampled the grapes
regularly and the vineyard was picked at the peak of quality in the
early morning hours of October 18.
The Notes (From Winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown)
If the dictionary had a definition for an ideal growing season, 2012
would almost certainly be it. Warm, early start with a great fruit set
led to a warm, but never too hot, season that allowed us to pick the
fruit on our terms. These rarely seen set of circumstances led us to
making what I feel is the best Hobel Cabernet to date. Tremendous
mouthfeel, packed with dense fruit and hints of cassis but with a fresh
underpinning of acidity to keep the energy and tension. The tannins are
fine and mouth coating, the finish powerful and long. Enjoy now with a
healthy decant or cellar for 5-10 years.
- Neck
Ebony - Appellation
Napa Valley - Alcohol
14.5% - Production
20 cases
The Reviews
94 Points - Antonio Galloni - December 2014
