94pts James Suckling
One of the stars of this challenging vintage. Cool and reserved nose with fresh mint, parsley and basil aromas. Some aeration in the glass teases a lot more crisp pear and yellow-apple aromas out of the wine and expands the mid-palate creaminess. Excellent structure and juiciness on the sleek and precise, medium-bodied palate. Complex wet-stone minerality at the self-confidently dry and crisp finish. Drink or hold.
93pts Wine Enthusiast
Restrained and elegant, notes of citrus, peach pit and ginger weave between waxy, honeyed richness. The palate is finessed, long and harmonious but speaks quietly, demanding thoughtful tasting rather than porch pounding.
91pts Decanter
Fueled by a warmer, drier vintage, the 2020 is more showy and opulent than the first release—rich nutmeg and fleshy ripe peach aromatics introduce the wine. The palate is rich, with notes of petrol and wet stone back honeyed pear and ripe apricot.
91pts Wine Spectator
Crackles nicely with pippin apple, lime and slate notes. Reveals flashes of yellow apple and chamomile on the finish, with the slate edge lingering nicely. Drink now through 2027. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 4,500 cases made.
Winemaker's Notes
Situated on the southeastern banks of Seneca Lake, our estate vineyards’ steep slopes and row orientation encourage excellent air flow and early ripening. The 2021 vintage is a textural riesling with fragrant aromas of gardenia followed by layers of pear, citrus, and crushed rock that are mirrored on the palate. A long finish is extended by crisp acidity and lingering minerality.
History
The pursuit to craft world-class riesling brings Paul Hobbs back to his family roots in upstate New York to create
site-specific estate wines from the emerging Finger Lakes region. Founded in 2013, Hillick & Hobbs is named in honor of his parents, Joan Hillick and Edward Hobbs. Planted to high density vines on steep slate slopes, the estate boasts breathtaking views of Seneca Lake.
