The Hob Nob Pinot Noir 2012 is sourced from vineyards in the Languedoc region of southwest France. This is a Vin de Pays d”Oc wine also known as an IGP wine, that rating shows that the wine has the characteristics of the wines of the region, but do not follow the rules and standards of the AOC or higher rated wines. There are a 100 reasons why a wine-maker would choose not to follow the stricter rules, so do not be put off by the lower rating, these wines are often terrific values. Hob Nob is brand put together by Deutsch Family Wines (US) and Les Vins Georges Duboeuf (France), you may know Duboeuf from their Beaujolais wines with the flowers on the label. In France they know wine by the location and the producer, Chateau So and So from the Médoc growing region. Knowledge of wine is passed down from generation to generation and the system works, in France that is. In the US we know wine by the grape used and while a few of us are knowledgeable about French wine regions and producers, most of us are fairly clueless. So, Hob Nob wines are French wines translated into American, this is a Pinot Noir, from the southwest France, made for everyday drinking, no inside knowledge of French wines needed. The alcohol content is 13%.
The color is a see-thru garnet red with a plum tint and an almost clear halo. The nose is black cherry, plum, vanilla with a light floral edge. This is a medium bodied, fruit forward Pinot Noir. It tastes of fresh, ripe cherry, plum, a little tart raspberry and a hint of licorice. The mid-palate adds a little hit of spice, vanilla cream (I don’t know if oak was used, but I get some oak flavors) and a slight tug from the tannins. The acidity is balanced and puts a bright shine on the fruit flavors. The finish is subdued, but never really goes away.
The Hob Nob Pinot Noir 2012 is not one of those earthy, funky Pinot Noir’s full of challenging flavors that are hard to describe. This is a bright, happy, fruit forward, but really tasty Pinot Noir. With many Pinot’s the more complicated the better, but the Hob Nob, while not simple, is easy to understand and enjoy. Any sub $10 Pinot Noir, especially one from France, that tastes great and is fun to drink is OK in my book.
