THE DISCOVER CLUB - AUGUST 2022
Paul Hobbs is a visionary, not only in California but across the globe. From Argentina to Armenia, Paul has a pull in many pots, but all of this was inspired from his upbringing. In 2013, he started a project in his home state of New York. Today, the results could become one of the most iconic bottlings from the historic Finger Lakes AVA of New York.
We are pleased to present Hillick and Hobbs Riesling to the Just A Taste Discover Club.
HILLICK & HOBBS
“SENECA LAKE” RIESLING 2019
Winemaker: Paul Hobbs
Region: Seneca Lake, Finger Lakes, New York
Grape Variety: 100% Riesling
Viticulture: practicing sustainable; blue slate, limestone glacial shale
Method: whole-cluster press; stainless steel elevage
Serving Suggestions: serve at 44-48F
Age: drink 2022 - 2034
Nose: white peach, smoke, white flowers
Palate: firm, lean, lingering
Finish: touch of ripe fruit finishing to smokey, mineral notes
Serve with: panzanella salad
ABOUT PAUL HOBBS
Paul Hobbs is recognized as a leading winemaker not only in California but across the globe. From small roots in an upstate New York apple orchard, he made his way to consulting with some of the foremost producers of wine. Paul was inspired by his grandfather, Edward James, a physician, to seek out a degree in chemistry. Upon completion, and prompted by his father, he pursued his master in Viticulture and Enology from UC Davis. Soon he went to work for Robert Mondavi and was selected to help open Mondavi’s inspirational collaboration with Bordeaux giant Baronne Philippe de Rothschild, a project that revolutionized Napa Valley: Opus One. Paul continued work for Simi, Peter Michael, and jumped into international waters helping establish Malbec as the Argentinean behemoth it is today at Bodega Catena. However, he always felt a compelling pull from farming and knew he needed to set his own roots in the ground. In 1991, he established Paul Hobbs wines with fruit purchased from Larry Hyde and Richard Dinner, then in 1998 planted his Katherine Lindsay estate vineyard (named after his great-grandmother). By 2003, Paul Hobbs estate wines were first released, but today his reach extends to several partnerships around the globe.
ABOUT THE WINE
Hillick & Hobbs is a collaboration inspired by Paul’s roots in upstate New York. Paul’s family farm was planted to orchards, but his father always had dreams of establishing wine grapevines. At the age of 16, Paul was instructed to convert some of the family farm to grapevine – of which the family sold to neighboring Finger Lakes winemakers. In 2013, a small estate on Seneca Lake, a small sub-AVA of the Finger Lakes, was purchased and planted. Hillick & Hobbs was established in honor of Paul’s mother, Joan Hillick, and the inaugural vintage was released in 2020 (2019 vintage). The vineyard contains similar blue slate as the Mosel of Germany, a favorite of Paul’s. The wine is vinified entirely in stainless steel and bottled with a small amount of residual sugar, but the crisp acidity would make you think otherwise. As the inaugural release, this wine shows the potential of this site yet the skill and knowledge of the winemaker. Be sure to cellar a few bottles and revisit new vintages to see the development.
ABOUT THE REGION
The Finger Lakes have cultivated the vine since the 1850s; however, hybrids, particularly Concord, have always been in favor. The new image of New York wines arrived in the 1960s with Dr. Konstantin Frank, a Ukrainian viticulturist who introduced cold-hearty vinifera vines such as Riesling and Chardonnay. Today, the larger bodies of water in the Finger Lakes offer reprieve from frigid, frozen winters and allow growers to explore Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, and age-worthy Riesling.