2019 Bootlegger’s Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir
This one-time moonshiner site, deep in the Sonoma Coast hills, was planted by Charlie Chenoweth to a large array of high-quality Pinot Noir selections. The nose is filled with bright cherry, Fuji apple, five spice, dried orange peel, hazelnut toffee and dark chocolate. There is a lingering note of ocean air. The mouthfeel is broad and loaded with supple tannins that are rich and full while also elegant. Cascades of fruit and spice complete this fascinating Russian River Pinot Noir. This is one of my favorite Patz & Hall Pinot Noirs of the 2019 vintage.
2019 was an excellent year. The modestly wet winter led to an unusual spring with six inches of rain in late May. The extra water caused strong vine canopy growth necessitating extra leaf pulling to improve air flow and suppress disease. No significant problems persisted as the vines moved into a delightful summer, with warm days tempered by cool afternoon winds from the Pacific. Crop levels were average and weather at harvest was particularly pleasant, with the fruit ripening evenly, and critically, not too quickly. The 2019 wines have rich, supple structures with fine-grained, plush tannins supported by juicy, fresh fruit flavors and clearly defined vineyard characters. These precocious, delicious wines should require less cellar time to reach an ideal drinking stage.
Planted in 2007 by renowned winegrower Charlie Chenoweth and situated a mere 8 miles from the Pacific Ocean (between Sebastopol and Occidental), Bootlegger’s Hill is a very cool site, with shallow Goldridge soils that produce low yields of small-berried clusters. While Bootlegger Hill is chilly, there’s just enough warmth to fully ripen the grapes while still maintaining the mineral-like acidity for which Sonoma Coast is known. Our blocks of Bootlegger’s Hill have a northeast aspect that captures the first rays of the morning sun. It is planted to Dijon selections, as well as a small amount of Pommard and Calera.
100% Burgundian French oak barrels (43% new)
Bottled without filtration to preserve the wine’s aromas and flavors and enhance aging potential
This wine is vegan.
- Type:
- Red
- Varietal:
- Pinot Noir
- Region:
- California
- Appellation:
- Russian River Valley
- Vintage:
- 2019
- Blend:
- 100% Pinot Noir
- Alcohol:
- 14.5%
- Fermentation:
- Multi-yeast fermentations (native yeast, followed by cultured yeast); 100% malo-lactic fermentation in barrel