PATZ & HALL
2018 CHARDONNAY
DUTTON RANCH
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
James Hall and Donald Patz were colleagues at Flora Springs Winery before realizing they had shared passion for wines with a sense of place and character, and so they built a friendship around their love for small lot wine production.
In 1988 Patz & Hall was founded by Donald and Heather Patz, James Hall, and Anne Moses, and has since maintained a solid reputation of excellence, consistently producing brilliant wines from some of Sonoma’s most well-renowned vineyards and growers.
The Dutton Ranch vineyard is home to some of the oldest Chardonnay vines in western Sonoma County, with partial dry farming producing intensely concentrated berries.
The 2018 Dutton Ranch Chardonnay is a blend of five clones – Hyde-Wente, Robert Young, Rued, UC Davis Clone 4, and Spring Mountain, aged in 35% new Burgundian French oak giving the wine some spice while allowing the fruit to shine.
PATZ & HALL
2018 CHARDONNAY
DUTTON RANCH
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
Retails at: $48
Members’ price: $39.99
From Wine & Spirits Magazine: “James Hall selects the fruit for this wine from 11 blocks farmed by the Dutton family. Most of the vines are older plantings of heritage clones and selections, a mix that seems to respond to a slow, spontaneous fermentation and development in French oak barrels (35 percent new). The 2018 builds to a savory and ornate chardonnay, a wine with traction that digs into scents of violets and game, jasmine and butterscotch, giving a sweet impression without any actual sweetness. There’s yellow and orange citrus fruit, but the main impression is earthy, with notes of lobster mushroom and lobster broth in a mineral finish. It’s floral, clean, intense wine, with stature and resistance to oxygen. Decant it for crab Louis, or cellar it for years.” 94 Points
From Wine Enthusiast: “Aromatic in a richness of caramelized brioche and baked lemon, the layers of flavor in this full-bodied, voluptuous wine follow suit, providing plenty of length and opulence. A buttery back note adds to the complex, appealing intensity.”
93 Points
NOTE: All wines offered for sale on this website are sold through our affiliate and fulfillment partner, Wine Country Connection.
Customers that enjoy Patz & Hall’s Dutton Ranch Chardonnay, may also enjoy these two terrific Chardonnays…
BAXTER
2019 CHARDONNAY
OPPENLANDER VINEYARD
MENDOCINO COUNTY
$39.99
Tasting Notes: “The 2019 Baxter Oppenlander Chardonnay has an alluring nose opening with chamomile, orange zest, green apple, Meyer lemon, brioche, vanilla ice cream, and crushed rocks. The aromas transfer to the palate with the added complexity of white peach, apricot, and nectarine with a hint of freshly baked brioche. The bright acidity complements the zesty minerality and crisp fruit flavors that portray elegance in a glass and varietal purity.” 94 Points -Anne Sewell, WSET Diploma Candidate
HANZELL
2019 SEBELLA CHARDONNAY
SONOMA COUNTY
Retails at: $36
Members’ price: $32
From James Suckling: “Aromas of dried apple, citrus, flint and lemon grass follow through to a full body with tangy and tight acidity and a lively finish. Impressive minerality and verve here. Will age beautifully, but why wait? Drink or hold.” 94 Points
From Wine Enthusiast: “This wine offers tremendous value for its knockout quality. It is an accessible, well-made and succulent expression of the grape that impresses from start to finish. Sophisticated and steely, it has a light grip of tannin and oak, with balanced acidity and fruitiness.”
93 Points, Editors’ Choice
WARNING: Drinking distilled spirits, beer, coolers, wine and other alcoholic beverages may increase cancer risk, and, during pregnancy, can cause birth defects. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/alcohol.
