The last of the Patz & Hall 2013 Pinot Noir lineup reaches outside James Hall’s usual radius of vineyard selections, but it’s always worth the wait to savor his particular expression of the Pisoni Vineyard. Only a few select winemakers get a piece of this crop, and it’s easy to see why Hall gets to work with this fruit year after year — he just continues to boost the reputation. While the complete opposite in style from the last Pinot Noir I scored this high, it’s got all the complexity, concentration and finesse that pushes my score into this rarified zone. Deep black cherry, red currant, cola, damp earth and spice aromas let you know what to expect on the palate, and it comes off exactly as advertised, finishing long and mouthwatering. It’s amazing now, and will develop additional elegance with age. Boom!
Patz & Hall, Santa Lucia Highlands (Central Coast, California) Pinot Noir 2013
By Rich Cook