2014 Patz & Hall Chenoweth Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., 1,284 cases, $60. Released October 2016. In 2000, famed viticulturist Charlie Chenoweth worked with James Hall to plant his family’s homestead estate in the cool Green Valley sub-AVA of the Russian River Valley exclusively for Patz & Hall (Chenoweth and a select few other wineries make wine from this vineyard as well). The 7-acre vineyard has an assortment of Dijon clones planted in Goldridge sandy loam soils. The vineyard is a warm site in a cool region. Wild and cultured yeast fermentation, aged in 70% new French oak barrels. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of compost, spice, dark chocolate and shy fruit arrive slowly in the glass over several hours. Mid weight flavors of black cherry and black raspberry with noticeable oak overlay. Very pretty fruit that has great intensity and length, becoming more appealing over several hours in the glass. This is a wine to decant if you open now, or better yet, be patient and cellar it for a few years. Score: 92. Reviewed January 16, 2017

Winery: Patz & Hall
From article: Recently Tasted Pinot Noir & Chardonnay