2009 Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., $42. Released September 2010. Sourced from Gap’s Crown Vineyard (Petaluma Gap) as well as fruit from growers including the Dutton Brothers, William Hill, the Martinelli family, Charlie Chenoweth and Steve Hill. Wild and cultured fermentation. Aged in 40% new Burgundian French oak barrels. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Bright aromas of black fruits including plum with complimentary oak spice. Moderately intense and tasty array of black fruits, caressed by mild grippy tannins, exhibiting a vibrancy on the generous finish. A smooth, almost milky, texture is pleasing. Seamless and well-crafted. Year in and year out (since the first Sonoma Coast release in 1995) this is a dependable Sonoma Coast bottling that is favored by sommeliers. Source: website and retail. Very good. Reviewed July 1, 2011

Winery: Patz & Hall
From article: Pinots of Distinction