Today's recommended wine
Patz & Hall, 2007 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, $42
I've been reviewing a string of Patz & Hall wines recently -- all Chardonnays and Pinots. Hats off to James Hall and Donald Patz who met at Flora Springs Winery, and then combined their talents (Hall as winemaker, Patz as sales manager), along with those of Anne Moses and Heather Patz to establish this brand in 1988. They source their grapes from some of the best growers in Sonoma. This beauty has such weight -- OK, full malolactic fermentation adds to that -- but also the fruit, which is first-class. It's like a stunning perfume of Pinot Noir on the nose: bright cherry, cranberry, butter and cinnamon. It's a velvet steamroller on the palate, with gorgeous fruit supported by acidity, tannins, viscous texture and alcohol. It's worth every penny.
