2020 Cattalini Vineyard Pinot Noir
The naturally high acid of this site drives the high frequency aromas of raspberry, fresh cherry, pine resin, milk chocolate and hazelnut. The mouthfeel is reminiscent of fresh cherry juice, at once fruity and tart but also coating and rich. The lean, crisp structure cuts across the palate with mouthwatering intensity, flashing multifaceted flavors through the detailed, refreshing finish. This wine is sure to gain depth, roundness, and complexity with further aging.
The year began with a very dry winter, leaving some vineyards with reduced water for the growing season. This translated into smaller berries, adding extra intensity to the aromas and flavors of the 2020 wines. The harvest at Patz & Hall wrapped up in late September, making it the earliest end of picking in my 30+ years of winemaking. Though 2020 produced record small yields, the quality was remarkable, with most vineyards producing wines of depth, intensity, and dramatic concentration. The Chardonnays are showing intricate aromatics and deep flavors while the Pinot Noirs show very dark and concentrated flavors with developed tannins. Overall, I’m very pleased with the strength and vitality of the 2020 wines and believe they have a long life ahead in the cellar.
This single vineyard bottling is from an exciting site located near the town of Forestville. Planted exclusively for Patz & Hall by Charlie Chenoweth, one of the superstar viticulturists of the Sonoma Coast, Cattalini Vineyard features clone 115 Pinot Noir grown on a steep west-facing slope in prized Goldridge soils. Farmed with great care, Cattalini often yields fewer than two tons per acre resulting in a profoundly rich and polished Pinot Noir.
10% whole cluster added
100% Burgundian French oak barrels (43% new; 57% 1-2-year old) All 3-year air dried staves
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:
- 2020
- Blend:
- 100% Pinot Noir
- Alcohol:
- 14.5%
- Fermentation:
- Multi-yeast fermentations (native yeast, followed by cultured yeast); 100% Malo-lactic fermentation in barrel