2008 Patz & Hall Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
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Tasting notes
The generic 2008 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast has earthy, herbal and black cherry fruit notes along with a hint of new oak. Medium-bodied, with a good finish, it is not complex, but it is a mouthfilling, solidly made Pinot Noir to drink over the next 3-4 years. One of the most reliable negociant firms in all of California is that of Patz and Hall, as the following tasting notes demonstrate. They are spot-on across the board with their generic as well as single-vineyard wines. There is no doubt they have been accessing some of the best single-vineyard sites in California for nearly as long as I have been writing about wine. Patz and Hall now produce eight separate Pinot Noirs, which would make them feel at home working in the Cote d-Or, where most vignerons have at least a half dozen different offerings. Tel. (877) 265-6700
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
(includes a lot of declassified fruit from Patz & Hall's other pinot sources in the Sonoma Coast Good deep red. Slightly muted aromas of red fruits, mocha and spices. Offers good intensity but modest nuance, with sweet strawberry fruit and an edge of acidity that has not yet fully integrated. I wanted a bit more verve.