Robert Foley vs. 
Paul Hobbs
TASTE OFF
Saturday May 9th
11am - 8pm
2006 Robert Foley Claret
2006 Robert Foley Merlot
2006 Robert Foley Petite Sirah
2007 Robert Foley Charbono
VS.
2005 Paul Hobbs Crossbarn Cabernet
2006 Paul Hobbs Napa Cabernet
2007 Paul Hobbs Crossbarn Pinot Noir
2007 Paul Hobbs Russian River Pinot Noir
Years before Michel Rolland became famous enough in the world of wine to be roundly mocked in the amusing wine film Mondovino, Paul Hobbs and Bob Foley were names that wine lovers worshipped. There's no question that Heidi Peterson and Helen Turley were far more famous in American wine circles, but those in the know raved about Foley's landmark Merlots at Markham, and Hobbs' work at Opus One and Simi.
It was the 1980's and most of us were just becoming aware of these winemakers; they weren't yet stars. Hobbs' acclaim ascended when he joined forces with Nicolas Catena and made brilliant wines and even more brilliant values in Argentina. Foley meanwhile left Markham and joined Pride Mountain. For many of us, that was a remarkable awakening: almost immediately, Markham wines suffered and Pride Mountain became the new benchmark for great California Merlot, among other great wines.
Since those times, both Hobbs and Foley have gone from strength to strength. Hobbs has consulted with Peter Michael, Lewis, Vine Cliff, Fisher and Chalone, and he has a great portfolio of California wines, as well as delicious wines from Argentina: Vina Cobos, Bramare and Felino. Foley has built the sterling reputations of Paloma, Hourglass and Switchback Ridge, among others.
Now there are lots of famous winemakers throughout the world; maybe Hobbs and Foley aren't as unusual as they were ten or twenty years ago. But they've only gotten better at what they do, and they remain winemakers for any wine lover to follow closely.
Happy Tasting!
Doug Frost, MS MW
Master Sommelier & Master of Wine
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