CrossBarn by Paul Hobbs Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 750ml

Paul Hobbs started CrossBarn in 2000 to honor his family's farming roots; the name comes from the cross barn on the family's 150-year-old farm. It's his more affordable label, made in a former apple-processing building in Sebastopol.

The house style is night harvesting by hand, separate fermentation of each vineyard lot, mostly stainless steel and very little new oak. For the 2021 Sonoma County Cabernet, Wine Advocate reports fruit from Moon Mountain and Alexander Valley and only 4% new French oak, so the fruit leads.

Wine Enthusiast describes a juicy, softer-style Cabernet with raspberry and candied cherry, then spiced black plum compote, cocoa and black pepper.

For a fruit-forward Sonoma Cab with little oak, buy this. For a firmer, oakier wine from the same county, try Rodney Strong.

Drink it now through about 2030. Serve it slightly cool with grilled chicken, pork or burgers.

More bottles from the county are on our Sonoma County wine page, and every Cabernet Sauvignon is listed together. Pick it up at our Brooklyn store or get same-day delivery in Brooklyn, Manhattan & Queens.