Description
CrossBarn by Paul Hobbs Sonoma Coast Chardonnay — Sonoma County 2024
CrossBarn is Paul Hobbs’s second label — and one of California’s most compelling values in cool-climate Chardonnay. Drawing on 81% estate fruit from Sonoma Coast vineyards, CrossBarn channels the same winemaking philosophy that has made Paul Hobbs one of Napa and Sonoma’s most celebrated names: minimal intervention, site transparency, and a relentless focus on freshness. The Sonoma Coast appellation is defined by its proximity to the Pacific — cold ocean winds and morning fog that slow ripening and preserve the natural acidity that makes this style so compelling. Partial malolactic conversion in stainless steel adds a subtle creamy texture without sacrificing the wine’s essential brightness and drive. The 2024 vintage is a textbook expression of the appellation.
The color is a luminous pale gold. The nose is fresh, pure, and immediately inviting: green apple, baked apple, ripe pear, lemon peel, and a whisper of bread dough and warm spice. On the palate, it is medium-bodied and easygoing — generous and juicy, with vibrant acidity, a subtle creamy mid-palate from partial malo, and a long, mineral-driven finish. Crisp, refreshing, and built for the table.
James Suckling 93 • Wine Advocate 90 — “Fresh, fruity, juicy, crisp — generous in green apples, baked apples and minerals. Subtle cream and butter from partial malolactic conversion.” (Vintage 2024).
- Producer: CrossBarn by Paul Hobbs, Sonoma County, California
- Vintage: 2024
- Appellation: Sonoma Coast
- Varietal: Chardonnay
- Estate Fruit: 81%
- Vinification: Partial malolactic conversion, stainless steel maturation
- Style: Bright, fresh, cool-climate Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
- Size: 750ml
- Tasting Notes: Green apple, baked apple, pear, lemon peel, bread dough, warm spice, mineral finish
- Cellar Potential: Drink now or cellar 3–5 years
- Best Paired With: Crab Louie, grilled shrimp, oysters, roast chicken, mushroom risotto, creamy pasta
Paul Hobbs’s vision for Sonoma Coast Chardonnay — CrossBarn delivers serious winemaking at an honest price.
