Cobb Rice-Spivak Vineyard Pinot Noir 2017

“Ross Cobb’s 2017 Pinot Noir Rice-Spivak Vineyard is light on its feet, perfumed and gracious. Crushed red berries, wild flowers, cinnamon and citrus all perk up this ethereal, mid-weight Pinot. The 50% whole clusters add aromatic presence and savoriness without overpowering the wine. I very much like the sense of energy here. This is such an elegant Pinot. Drinking window: 2020-2032. 96 points

The 2017s Pinots are without question the finest wines I have ever tasted from Ross Cobb. Readers will note the appearance of a few new bottlings, including a stellar Pinot from the Wendling Vineyard in Anderson Valley. The 2017s all spent 22 months in barrel, which is long for California standards, but not as long as was once the case here for some wines. Moreover, Cobb has addressed the reduction issues that I felt muted some of the fruit in his wines previously. The 2017s are extraordinarily pure, brilliant wines of the very highest level.”

Antonio Galloni, Vinous (01/20)