Dec 30, 2022
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Cobden Wini
| Owner(s) | Mark Davis |
| Web site | www.cobdenwini.com |
| Link to this site |
Proprietor and winemaker Mark Davis is the assistant winemaker at O'Brien Estate Winery in the Oak Knoll AVA of Napa Valley, and crafts small amounts of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir under the Cobden Wini label. The label pays homage to his parents' middle names.
Mark grew up in Maryland and graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in chemical engineering. His boredom with his government job and love of fermentation science led him to California to become a winemaker. He enrolled in the UC Davis viticulture and enology program and graduated with honors in 2012 and received an honorary department citation for outstanding achievement in viticulture and enology.
After several vintages across Northern California, Australia and South Africa, he started his own label with the release of the 2012 Cobden Wini Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. The wine is made from several vineyard sources. In 2012, the vineyards were Moore Family Vineyard, Fulton Road Vineyard and Sullivan Family Vineyard. In 2013, Hogan's Run Vineyard was added.
The wine is sold in 3, 5 or 12 bottle packs on the website
Articles About Cobden Wini
Quickies (12.9 10/6/2020)
Recently Reviewed CA & OR Pinot Noir Wines (12.30 7/24/2022)
Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir (11.29 8/24/2018)
Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir & Chardonnay (11.37 1/17/2019)
Recently Tasted Pinot Noir from A to W (12.18 5/20/2021)
Russian River Valley Neighborhoods (9.45 8/15/2014)
Sips of Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir, Rosé & Chardonnay (10.8 4/20/2015)
Reviewed Wines
2019 Cobden Wini Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., pH 3.69, TA 0.53, 125 cases, $55. Released
11/23/21. A blend of grapes from Hogan’s Run and Moore Family vineyards including clones 667, 777 and
Pommard. Aged 14 months on the lees with monthly stirring in 40% new and 60% once-used French oak
barrels.
·
Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Aromas of black cherry, rose petal and Doublemint gum lead
the way. Light to mid-weight in style and highly agreeable with plenty of black cherry flavor saturating the midpalate
and finish. Perfect harmony insures the wine’s allure at the dinner table.
Score: 92.
Reviewed July 24, 2022
ARTICLE »
2019 Cobden Wini Hogan’s Run Vineyard Reserve Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., pH 3.71, TA 0.61, 100
cases, $75. Released 2/1/22. Clones 667 and 777. Aged 16
months on the lees with a monthly stirring in 50% new French
oak barrels.
·
Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. A very
complex nose of earth, black raspberry, blackest cherry, herb
garden and a hint of oak leads off. Hearty in a mid-weight plus
style, with mouth filling and compelling dark cherry and berry
flavors. Very long in the mouth through the cherry-laced finish.
Score: 94.
Reviewed July 24, 2022
ARTICLE »
2018 Cobden Wini Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., $50. Produced and bottled by Cobden Wini
wines, Napa, CA.
·
Light garnet color in the glass. Enticing aromas of black cherry, cola and baking spices. The
wine is bursting with cherry goodness in a mid-weight style with an added compliment of purple berry fruits and
a shadow of oak. The tannins are very suave and the overall impression is brightness and balance. A classic
Russian River Valley AVA Pinot Noir.
Score: 92.
Reviewed May 16, 2021
ARTICLE »
2018 Cobden Wini Hogan’s Run Vineyard Russian River Valley Reserve Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., $75.
·
Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Dark cherry aromas are embellished with notes of oak-driven mocha
and perfumery red rose petal. More richness of flavor than the Russian River Valley bottling in a middleweight
style. Intense and provocative black cherry and black raspberry fruit flavors that really wake up the palate. Oak
shows less presence on the palate. Gentle tannins make for easy approachability but a few years in the cellar
would pay dividends. The finish is quite lengthy as befits a reserve wine.
Score: 93.
Reviewed May 16, 2021
ARTICLE »
2017 Cobden Wini Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.6% alc., 125 cases, $50. Released 6/15/20. A blend
of fruit from Hogan’s run and Moore Family vineyards, clones 667, 777 and Pommard. Aged 11 months in 40%
new French oak barrels.
·
This is a very solid wine featuring blackest cherry and black raspberry fruits that are
married perfectly with the tannins and acidity. Peaking over time in the glass, this lovely wine has a lavish finish
replete with fresh dark fruits that hang on.
Score: 93.
Reviewed October 4, 2020
ARTICLE »
2016 Cobden Wini Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., pH 3.67, TA 0.61, 125 cases, $50. Released
January 11, 2018. Minimal sulfur used in vinification. Lots were inoculated by proprietary yeasts. Aged 11
months in French oak barrels, 40% new.
·
Moderate garnet color in the glass. Aromas of earth-dusted Bing
cherry and cola. Discreetly concentrated spiced black cherry goodness with a hint of tobacco oak in the
background. Silky and refined on the palate, with gentile tannins and a lengthy, cherry-laden finish. This wine is
not a blockbuster, but is more in line with what most prefer in a Pinot Noir. Even better when tasted the
following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle.
Score: 91.
Reviewed August 24, 2018
ARTICLE »
2016 Cobden Wini Reserve Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., pH 3.68, TA 0.60, 100
cases, $75. Produced from south-facing, hillside blocks on the estate vineyard. Rich clay soils, a cool
microclimate, and low yields. A four barrel selection by winemaker Mark Davis. These barrels were
kept on the lees an additional 7 months (for a total of 18 months), with each barrel stirred monthly.
The wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered.
·
Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Leading off
are aromas of black grape, black berry, prune and vanilla, with a slight bit of volatile acidity that
dissipates. This is a very ripe-fruited wine offering mid weight flavors of black cherry and blackberry
accompanied by underlying toasty oak. Sleek in texture, finishing smooth, long and ingratiating. When
tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the wine was less appealing,
with a roasted fruit tone and more aggressive oak accompaniment.
Score: 89.
Reviewed January 17, 2019
ARTICLE »
2015 Cobden Wini Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., pH 3.57, TA 0.63, 100 cases, $50.
Released 11/11/16. Minimum sulfur used in vinification. Aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 50% new.
Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
·
Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Nicely appointed aromas of
Montmorency cherry, spice and complimentary oak. Prudently concentrated, with bright flavors of dark cherry,
plum, cola, tobacco and spice. Silky in the mouth with good harmony, tactful oak in the background, and a deep
cherry finish.
Score: 92.
Reviewed June 4, 2017
2013 Cobden Wini Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.7% alc., pH 3.71, TA 0.57, 90 cases, $40. Sourced
from Hogan’s Run and Moore Family vineyards. Clones 667 and 777. Aged sur lie with monthly batonage for
11 months in 100% French oak barrels, 50% new. Unfined and unfiltered.
·
Moderately dark reddish purple color
in the glass. Lovely aromas of fresh Bing cherries and forest floor. The oak-kissed, mid weight plus core of
juicy black cherry and pomegranate fruit is full-flavored and pleasing. When tasted the following day from a
previously opened and re-corked bottle, the wine was considerably more appealing with better oak integration
and more polish. The wine packs a little heat on the finish.
Score: 89.
Reviewed April 20, 2015
ARTICLE »
2012 Cobden Wini Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 100 cases, pH 3.69, TA 0.58, $36. Name of
label pays homage to the middle names of the winemaker’s parents. Label says, “Dog ate tasting notes.” Fruit
sourced from 3 vineyards. Clones 777 and Pommard. Maco-bin fermented, barrel aged sur lie with monthly batonage for 10 months in 33% new French oak. Unfined and unfiltered. Vinified by Mark Davis, assistant
winemaker at O’Brien Estate Winery (Oak Knoll AVA) with previous experience at Twomey Cellars.
·
Moderate
reddish purple color in the glass. Shy and mysterious upon opening featuring aromas of dark red and purple
fruits. Earthy and well oaked on the palate with mid weight flavors of black cherry and black raspberry with a
hint of tobacco and spice. Very smoothly textured with a modest finish. Better the following day from a
previously opened and re-corked bottle showing very ripe fruit aromas and flavors, and notes of oak-driven
char, dark chocolate and spice.
Score: 88.
Reviewed August 15, 2014
ARTICLE »
2019 Cobden Wini Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., pH 3.69, TA 0.53, 125 cases, $55. Released 11/23/21. A blend of grapes from Hogan’s Run and Moore Family vineyards including clones 667, 777 and Pommard. Aged 14 months on the lees with monthly stirring in 40% new and 60% once-used French oak barrels. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Aromas of black cherry, rose petal and Doublemint gum lead the way. Light to mid-weight in style and highly agreeable with plenty of black cherry flavor saturating the midpalate and finish. Perfect harmony insures the wine’s allure at the dinner table. Score: 92. Reviewed July 24, 2022 ARTICLE »
2019 Cobden Wini Hogan’s Run Vineyard Reserve Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., pH 3.71, TA 0.61, 100 cases, $75. Released 2/1/22. Clones 667 and 777. Aged 16 months on the lees with a monthly stirring in 50% new French oak barrels. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. A very complex nose of earth, black raspberry, blackest cherry, herb garden and a hint of oak leads off. Hearty in a mid-weight plus style, with mouth filling and compelling dark cherry and berry flavors. Very long in the mouth through the cherry-laced finish. Score: 94. Reviewed July 24, 2022 ARTICLE »
2018 Cobden Wini Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., $50. Produced and bottled by Cobden Wini wines, Napa, CA. · Light garnet color in the glass. Enticing aromas of black cherry, cola and baking spices. The wine is bursting with cherry goodness in a mid-weight style with an added compliment of purple berry fruits and a shadow of oak. The tannins are very suave and the overall impression is brightness and balance. A classic Russian River Valley AVA Pinot Noir. Score: 92. Reviewed May 16, 2021 ARTICLE »
2018 Cobden Wini Hogan’s Run Vineyard Russian River Valley Reserve Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., $75. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Dark cherry aromas are embellished with notes of oak-driven mocha and perfumery red rose petal. More richness of flavor than the Russian River Valley bottling in a middleweight style. Intense and provocative black cherry and black raspberry fruit flavors that really wake up the palate. Oak shows less presence on the palate. Gentle tannins make for easy approachability but a few years in the cellar would pay dividends. The finish is quite lengthy as befits a reserve wine. Score: 93. Reviewed May 16, 2021 ARTICLE »
2017 Cobden Wini Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.6% alc., 125 cases, $50. Released 6/15/20. A blend of fruit from Hogan’s run and Moore Family vineyards, clones 667, 777 and Pommard. Aged 11 months in 40% new French oak barrels. · This is a very solid wine featuring blackest cherry and black raspberry fruits that are married perfectly with the tannins and acidity. Peaking over time in the glass, this lovely wine has a lavish finish replete with fresh dark fruits that hang on. Score: 93. Reviewed October 4, 2020 ARTICLE »
2016 Cobden Wini Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., pH 3.67, TA 0.61, 125 cases, $50. Released January 11, 2018. Minimal sulfur used in vinification. Lots were inoculated by proprietary yeasts. Aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 40% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Aromas of earth-dusted Bing cherry and cola. Discreetly concentrated spiced black cherry goodness with a hint of tobacco oak in the background. Silky and refined on the palate, with gentile tannins and a lengthy, cherry-laden finish. This wine is not a blockbuster, but is more in line with what most prefer in a Pinot Noir. Even better when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 91. Reviewed August 24, 2018 ARTICLE »
2016 Cobden Wini Reserve Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., pH 3.68, TA 0.60, 100 cases, $75. Produced from south-facing, hillside blocks on the estate vineyard. Rich clay soils, a cool microclimate, and low yields. A four barrel selection by winemaker Mark Davis. These barrels were kept on the lees an additional 7 months (for a total of 18 months), with each barrel stirred monthly. The wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Leading off are aromas of black grape, black berry, prune and vanilla, with a slight bit of volatile acidity that dissipates. This is a very ripe-fruited wine offering mid weight flavors of black cherry and blackberry accompanied by underlying toasty oak. Sleek in texture, finishing smooth, long and ingratiating. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the wine was less appealing, with a roasted fruit tone and more aggressive oak accompaniment. Score: 89. Reviewed January 17, 2019 ARTICLE »
2015 Cobden Wini Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., pH 3.57, TA 0.63, 100 cases, $50. Released 11/11/16. Minimum sulfur used in vinification. Aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 50% new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Nicely appointed aromas of Montmorency cherry, spice and complimentary oak. Prudently concentrated, with bright flavors of dark cherry, plum, cola, tobacco and spice. Silky in the mouth with good harmony, tactful oak in the background, and a deep cherry finish. Score: 92. Reviewed June 4, 2017
2013 Cobden Wini Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.7% alc., pH 3.71, TA 0.57, 90 cases, $40. Sourced from Hogan’s Run and Moore Family vineyards. Clones 667 and 777. Aged sur lie with monthly batonage for 11 months in 100% French oak barrels, 50% new. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Lovely aromas of fresh Bing cherries and forest floor. The oak-kissed, mid weight plus core of juicy black cherry and pomegranate fruit is full-flavored and pleasing. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the wine was considerably more appealing with better oak integration and more polish. The wine packs a little heat on the finish. Score: 89. Reviewed April 20, 2015 ARTICLE »
2012 Cobden Wini Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 100 cases, pH 3.69, TA 0.58, $36. Name of label pays homage to the middle names of the winemaker’s parents. Label says, “Dog ate tasting notes.” Fruit sourced from 3 vineyards. Clones 777 and Pommard. Maco-bin fermented, barrel aged sur lie with monthly batonage for 10 months in 33% new French oak. Unfined and unfiltered. Vinified by Mark Davis, assistant winemaker at O’Brien Estate Winery (Oak Knoll AVA) with previous experience at Twomey Cellars. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Shy and mysterious upon opening featuring aromas of dark red and purple fruits. Earthy and well oaked on the palate with mid weight flavors of black cherry and black raspberry with a hint of tobacco and spice. Very smoothly textured with a modest finish. Better the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle showing very ripe fruit aromas and flavors, and notes of oak-driven char, dark chocolate and spice. Score: 88. Reviewed August 15, 2014 ARTICLE »