When you’re a wine geek, you often find yourself in the midst of very odd and extremely passionate debates among fellow oenophiles. A common subject of wayward opinion is the New vs. Old World dalliance of Pinot Noir. Now it is no secret that I have an affinity for the old climats of Bourgogne. To me, a nice Santenay, Echezeaux, or (if the event is celebratory) a Vosne Romanee leaves one speechless. But I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that once in a great while a New World expression comes along that seduces my interest completely. That is the case with today's wine, the 2016 Patz & Hall Pinot Noir. Perched above the Petaluma Gap along the Sonoma Coast, the Gap’s Crown vineyard has long been a prized site for world class Pinot. The majesty of the of Petaluma’s diurnal shift between slow warm days and cool Pacific evenings lend nicely to even ripening. Under the watchful eye of legendary grower Bill Price, and winemaker James Hall, the 2016 Patz & Hall is a benchmark in Sonoma Pinot. The glass is a veritable fruit basket of ripe blackberries, fresh picked cherries, plump raspberry, overripe pomegranate, sandalwood, cedar, fresh meadow flowers, wet potting soil, baking spice, cocoa powder, and wildberry brambles. A must have for warm summer evenings.
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