Ross Cobb has carved out a well deserved reputation for crafting some of California's most graceful, complex and age worthy Pinot Noirs. His family label, Cobb wines, produces Pinot Noir from the margins of where it ripens on the far west Sonoma Coast, just east of Petaluma and Sebastopol. These fog shrouded vineyards produce fruit that vividly express their coastal provence, a terroir that favors Ross’s preference for savory and mineral driven Pinot Noir. This is where many of the most revered Cali Pinot's are grown and I think Ross’s are amongst the best.

Ross’s dad David had long tinkered around with home winemaking and in the late 90’s moved himself, his wife and his two sons to Sonoma and planted himself a vineyard. Named Coastlands, it is now the estate vineyard. After selling off fruit for the first few years, In 2001, they produced a small amount of their first wine and Cobb Wines was born. David is still very much involved but it’s Ross’s vision as head winemaker that has made these wines a favorite among Pinot enthusiasts, even those whose preferences might learn French. That is because like the great wines of Burgundy Ross’s style pays tribute to each of the sights he works with.

Ross made wine at Williams-Selyem between 1998-2000, and went on to make wine for the famous Flowers and Hirsch estates for many years. He continues to make wine and consult for a handful of highly regarded producers in the area but his true passion is Cobb Wines. Like we've said a thousand times, all great wines are made in the vineyard and whether it's the Coastlands or any of the other four sites they work with, the Cobbs manage all of the farming.

From a young age Ross’s family instilled in him a great respect for the earth and the living things that call it home. Organic and regenerative farming are his way of life. He studied soil at UC Santa Cruz and eventually took that knowledge back home and helped make Cobb wines a truly sustainable company.

Somehow these wines still fly a bit under the radar. I think this has a bit to do with the fact that Ross does not make wine for youthful consumption. Delicious and clearly full of potential upon release, Cobb Pinot really comes to life 3 or 4 years after release and can age gracefully for a decade or more. We tasted vintages going back to the aughts and were blown away by their complexity and layers of aromas and flavors of fruit, spice rock and flowers. They are wines that any serious Pinot collector should have in the cellar.

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