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We drank this for Thanksgiving. The Patz and Hall 2017 Sonoma Coast pinot noir ($48) is excellent. We’re usually reluctant to recommend a blend from an AVA. But Sonoma Coast is home to some of our favorites. After tasting this wine, we rate it a bargain.
The wine opens with aromas of red cherries, licorice, and rose petals. On the palate the wine is lighter than, say, Russian River Valley or Santa Lucia Highlands pinots. The flavors feature black cherries, a hint of forest floor. Immediately after opening, tannins are a bit intense. Solve this problem either by curbing your impatience or decanting. We were in no hurry, and it was worth the wait. Silky tannins add a hint of spice and pave the way to a long, complex finish.
James Hall and Donald Patz met in the 1980s when both were at Flora Springs Winery and Vineyard. James was the assistant winemaker and Donald was national sales manager. Here’s Anne Moses’s description.
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Patz and Hall wines were served in the Bush administration. Meet the four founders.
James Hall, Anne Moses, Heather Patz, and Donald Patz (click for larger image)
