TN: Patz & Hall Wines

WINE TALK
1

PATZ & HALL WINES - Bloomington, MN (10/9/2011)

Talked with the Eastern Rep at an industry tasting about the Patz & Hall lineup. I was amazed during the 30 minutes or more of talking with him how few people stopped by to sample the wines.
Chardonnay
Nice wines overall with good character throughout. While oak is used they did not go over the top and I liked the pinneapple and apple quality in many of the wines.

  • 2008 Patz & Hall Chardonnay Sonoma Coast - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
    A nice wine with pinneapple, apple, oak, vanilla and mild spice. Medium finish and good acidity. (90 pts.)
  • 2009 Patz & Hall Chardonnay Sonoma Coast - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
    A little better than the 08 with carmel, pinneapple, minerals and sour apples. A nicely balance wine and the oak is integrated into the wine. Medium finish. (91 pts.)
  • 2009 Patz & Hall Chardonnay Dutton Ranch - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
    Lemons, minerals, apple and toasted oak come together to create an enjoyable Cali Chardonnay. Medium finish and balanced overall. The wine improved when it was closer to room temp. (91 pts.)
  • 2009 Patz & Hall Chardonnay Hudson Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley, Carneros
    Smoke, oak, vanilla, pear and minerals. The wine should improve with some age as the oak will settle down. Medium finish and a food wine for sure. (92 pts.)

Pinot Noir
The Pinot Noir wines are solid and age worthy. They should cellar well for five plus years.

  • 2009 Patz & Hall Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
    Nice effort overall with strawberry, minerals and spice. Good use of oak and drink now or cellar for a few years. More elegant in style. (89 pts.)
  • 2010 Patz & Hall Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
    A bit primary but a lot of potential here. Cranberry, strawberry, spice and minerals. A bit more complex than the 09 and should start drinking well in six months. This was just recently bottle. 90-92. (90 pts.)
  • 2009 Patz & Hall Chardonnay Hyde Vineyard - USA, California, Napa Valley, Carneros
    More complex than the Sonoma Coast offerings. Cranberry, forest floor, spice and under brush. The palate shows more earth character and has a solid medium finish. Good acidity and this should drink well for five years. (92 pts.)
  • 2008 Patz & Hall Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands
    One of the best in the Patz’s lineup. Spice, floral, earth and cinnamon. The fruit is there but more of a earth based wine. This wine needs some cellaring and should drink well for ten years. (93 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

2

Thanks for the notes, John. You’re right…the P&H wines don’t get the recognition they deserve.
They’re good to very good wines, maybe a bit on the pricey side, but every time I try one, I always think
I should be trying them more often.
I assume that’s a typo and the HydeVnyd should be a Pinot, not Chard?
Tom

3

Tom,

Yes it was the Pinot. Thanks for catching that. I would say overall the Sonoma offerings are priced about right but the Pisoni Pinot is excessive in price when you can get other producers for less that make as good of wine.

4

Their Dutton chard is a consistent winner.

5

I dig their wines, but agree the SVD’s are priced a bit high. The plus side, I often see them on closeout.