The 2016 Chardonnay Russian River Valley is a beauty that shines on all accounts. Aged 10 months on lees in 45% new French oak, it reveals a gold, slightly green-tinged color to go with awesome notes of caramelized citrus, freshly crushed rocks, spice, and a distinct salinity. It’s clean, medium to full-bodied, beautifully layered, and just a head-turning Chardonnay well worth seeking out. These latest releases from Paul Hobbs are pretty much sensational across the board and Hobbs’ finds a rare mix of purity and elegance matched to richness and concentration that hits all my sweet spots. Hobbs commented that 2016 was a perfect vintage where everything came together easily, and the resulting wines have a terrific sense of elegance, purity an balance that make them already irresistible, yet will also allow them to age gracefully. In addition, the lineup is easy to understand; Hobbs makes an appellation blend Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and two single vineyards of each variety.