Paul Hobbs Crossbarn Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Paul Hobbs Crossbarn Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 is a Bordeaux-style Sonoma County red blend in a standard 750ml bottle, awarded 93 points by James Suckling. Sourced from the same vineyard sites as the flagship Paul Hobbs estate Cabernet, this second-label expression delivers serious winemaking pedigree at a more accessible tier — fermented with indigenous yeasts and bottled both unfined and unfiltered.

Quick Facts: Blend: 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc  |  Origin: Sonoma County, California  |  Vintage: 2019  |  Winery: Paul Hobbs

Production & Heritage

Paul Hobbs established his namesake winery in 1991 in Sebastopol, California, quickly building a reputation as one of Sonoma County's most meticulous winemakers. The Crossbarn line is not a separate project but a true second label — the fruit is culled from the same vineyards as the estate program, including sites on Moon Mountain and estate plantings in Alexander Valley. For the 2019 vintage, the wine was fermented using indigenous yeasts, aged for twenty months in a combination of French and American oak barrels, and bottled without fining or filtration, preserving the full character of the fruit and terroir.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe cherries and raspberries before deepening into mocha, baking spices, and candied violets. Undertones of incense and tobacco emerge with time in the glass.

Taste: Plush red and black currants lead the entry, joined at mid-palate by cassis and crushed-rock minerality. Rose petal, mint, and blood orange add unexpected nuance, while fine-grained tannins give the wine structure without weight. Balanced acidity keeps the darker fruit honest and prevents any heaviness.

Finish: The finish lingers with spice, dark fruit, and a streak of earthy minerality. Tannins resolve smoothly, leaving behind a clean, persistent close.

How to Drink Crossbarn Cabernet 2019

This wine shows best when served at cellar temperature — around 60–65°F — in a large-bowled glass that lets the aromatics open fully. It drinks beautifully on its own but also holds up to food-forward settings. A classic Cabernet-based Negroni variation (using the wine as a vermouth substitute in a spritz) highlights the dark fruit and spice. For cocktail-curious drinkers, a red wine sangria built around this vintage benefits from its natural mocha and berry depth. In a Kalimotxo, the wine's structured tannins and acidity stand up surprisingly well to cola's sweetness for a simple warm-weather drink.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners with grilled red meats or braised short ribs
• Gifting a wine enthusiast who appreciates Sonoma County Cabernet
• Building a cellar with approachable, well-made California reds
• Introducing someone to Paul Hobbs' winemaking style without the flagship price

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Crossbarn Cabernet 2019 taste like? It leads with ripe red and black currants, cassis, and mocha, supported by fine-grained tannins and balanced acidity. Mint, rose petal, and crushed-rock minerality add complexity throughout the palate.

How does Crossbarn Cabernet compare to the Paul Hobbs estate Cabernet Sauvignon? Both wines draw fruit from the same Sonoma County vineyard sources, but the estate bottling receives more rigorous barrel selection and typically commands a significantly higher price. Crossbarn delivers much of the same vineyard character and indigenous-yeast winemaking philosophy at a more accessible level.

Is Crossbarn Cabernet 2019 good for sipping neat? Absolutely — the wine's layered aromatics, balanced tannins, and lingering spice make it well suited to drinking on its own at cellar temperature. Decanting for 30–45 minutes helps the mocha and floral notes fully develop.

Where is Crossbarn Cabernet made? It is produced by Paul Hobbs Winery, based in Sebastopol, California. The fruit for the 2019 vintage comes from vineyards on Moon Mountain and estate plantings in Alexander Valley, both within Sonoma County.

What foods pair well with Crossbarn Cabernet 2019? Grilled lamb chops work well against the wine's dark fruit and spice. Braised short ribs mirror its depth and oak character. Aged cheddar or Gruyère complement the wine's tannin structure. Mushroom risotto highlights the earthy, mineral undertones. Dark chocolate with sea salt echoes the mocha notes on the finish.

What sizes does Crossbarn Cabernet come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle. Other formats have not been widely documented for this vintage.

Is Crossbarn Cabernet 2019 worth the price? As Paul Hobbs' designated second label, the Crossbarn Cabernet positions in the mid-premium tier for Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon. With 93 points from James Suckling and 92 points from both Vinous and Jeb Dunnuck, the critical consensus supports strong value relative to its quality and the prestige of the winemaking program behind it.

Why Crossbarn Cabernet 2019?

The defining detail of this wine is its origin: it is pulled from the same Moon Mountain and Alexander Valley vineyard blocks that supply the Paul Hobbs flagship Cabernet. Indigenous yeast fermentation, twenty months in French and American oak, and an unfined, unfiltered bottling protocol are not typical at this price tier. The 2019 Sonoma County vintage delivered warm days and cool nights that allowed extended hang time, and the critical scores reflect it — 93 from James Suckling, 92 from Vinous, 92 from Jeb Dunnuck, and 91 from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate. For drinkers who want access to a top-tier Sonoma winemaker's vineyard sources and methods without the estate-level investment, this bottling is one of the more compelling options in the category.