Wine Spectator Buzz: Patz & Hall

During the plane ride to California I read in Wine Spectator that Patz & Hall had four Pinot Noirs that all received 90 points or higher. That was the moment it became a "must go to" winery. Fortunately our concierge at Meadowood was able to accommodate our last minute request.

Located on "Corporate Drive" in Napa, this is not your ordinary wine tasting salon. In fact, it is their corporate headquarters with a couple of well-done tasting rooms created in the otherwise corporate environment. Since it was Labor Day and this was an office complex, there was only one other car in the parking lot when we arrived (our host's car, as it turns out). This did not look like any wine tasting room I wanted to go in and it certainly didn't look like they hosted members of the public very often. I wanted to cancel but my husband convinced me that this was "all part of the experience" and forced me to go in.

I'm glad he did. We opened the front door and were greeted with a glass of Chardonnay in Riedel "O" glasses. Soon the other guests arrived - six of them. We were left to meet and greet as the finishing touches were placed on the tasting table. Soon were were beckoned to the table which was adorned with six glasses at each place setting and trays of cheeses, almonds and spiced fruit.

Unfortunately they have been sold out of their award winning '04 Pinot Noirs for months. Apparently once you make it on the cover of Wine Spectator you sell out within about two weeks.

But we were not disappointed.



Three superb Chardonnays; three amazing Pinot Noirs ('05). We were in heaven. Each was better than the previous. As it turns out, Platz & Hall does not actually own any vines; they contract with local vineyards to produce grapes to their specification and then they take it from there. Our favorite was the Alder Spring Vineyard Chardonnay from Mendocino County ('05). It is a rich and dense Chardonnay, sweet, fruity, vibrant and creamy all at the same time. This particular Chardonnay received 92 points from Wine Spectator Magazine.

Turns out the buzz is well-deserved. Buy their wine if you can find it; visit the tasting room if you are in the area and seeking a quiet respite from the Highway 29 crowds.