This wine is a true hidden gem that’s been quietly stalking its way into the hearts of Pinot lovers who appreciate nuance with a bit of Napa boldness. The Wulff family — Krys and Randy — have been growing premium grapes in Napa for over two decades, supplying some of the valley’s most iconic names like Lewis Cellars, Mumm, and Robert Mondavi. They are some of the region’s most popular grape growrs, and now, they’re a hand-selecting only the finest rows to create their own label, Lobo — Spanish for “wolf” — a nod both to their surname and a respectful tip of the hat to Napa’s hardworking Hispanic vineyard community.

Krys and Randy’s journey from growing grapes to making their own wines is nothing short of inspiring — from a humble 25-case start to crafting eight unique wines over 17 vintages. With accolades from critics and collectors alike, Lobo Wines has carved out a special place on Napa Valley wine lists and in the hearts of aficionados. One of their Cabernet Sauvignons even graced the cover of Decanter, the world’s largest wine publication.

Their vineyard sits in the Oak Knoll District, that magical “sweet spot” just north of Napa town where the fog from San Pablo Bay brings a cool reprieve after the valley’s afternoon sun does its thing. The soils here are a complex mix of gravel, silt, and loam, perfect for keeping vines on their toes with just the right amount of struggle, which translates into wines with impressive complexity and vibrant acidity. The Pinot Noir is planted with a Burgundian mix of Martini, Dijon 115, and Mariafeld clones, hand-tended like royalty, creating a wine that balances earthy spice with bright, high-toned red fruit — all framed with that signature Napa precision.

The mastermind behind this wine is Victoria Coleman. Not just a winemaker, but a trailblazer. Victoria began her career at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, earned her stripes at UC Davis, and even studied under Erick Tourbier at Chateau Mouton Rothschild. She is the first Black woman to graduate in viticulture and enology from UC Davis and Napa Valley’s first Black woman winemaker. Since 2008, she’s been crafting Lobo wines with a keen sense of balance and elegance, and the 2021 vintage is no exception.

2021 is looking to be one of the vintages of the decade. Wine Spectator blessed this year with a 96 point score, and said: "Small berries and thick skins that produced wines of concentration and structure as well as freshness and purity."

Aging: 18 months in 30% new French oak.

100% Pinot Noir. The 2021 Lobo Wines Pinot Noir dazzles with its deep, vibrant color and aromas that leap from the glass — think delicate floral notes of Darjeeling tea swirling over lush Bing cherries, blackberries, and juicy pomegranate. As it opens up, subtle hints of vanilla, cola, white pepper, and mandarin zest add intrigue, while the palate is balanced with bright acidity and layers of red fruit, dried blood orange, and earthy clay pot. The finish is long, lingering, and full of complexity, with a dash of five-spice and a sweet touch of cinnamon graham cracker that makes each sip feel like an exciting discovery. This wine is lively, bold, and effortlessly elegant, promising a decade or more of graceful aging.

A straightforward, straight-shooting Pinot Noir boasting juicy cherry fruit, cedarwood spice and earthy aromatics, supported by firm, chocolatey tannins. It finishes with good length, tension, and a vivid wild herb character. This is the kind of structured Pinot Noir from Napa’s Oak Knoll District that could benefit from a few additional years in the cellar. ~91 Decanter

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