Donald Patz

Owner/Winemaker Patz & Hall

You’ll see the pictures of the doors change each vintage. Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon 100%. The Hirondelle Vineyard lies at the base of the famous rock outcropping. 2018 is a great year and it will be interesting to drink over the decades ahead. — 4 months ago

Donald Patz

Owner/Winemaker Patz & Hall

9.0

Merlot done right. Very complex, dark aromas of coffee, exotic spices, pipe tobacco, dried herb and fruit notes. At this age it’s all about storage and this bottle was immaculate. — 4 months ago

Donald Patz

Owner/Winemaker Patz & Hall

8.5

Don’t let the points fool you. Barbera from California is in my opinion the best Italian variety red we do. This was fun. Bright and crisp and jumping with bing cherry laden juiciness. I would drink it again, except they stopped making it. — a year ago

Donald Patz

Owner/Winemaker Patz & Hall

9.3

I love this Washington Merlot. It’s distinctly different from California versions. This is Northstar’s high end offering. They are based in Walla Walla often thought of as the top area for Merlot in Eastern Washington but this carries the Columbia Valley designation. I just find that odd but there’s nothing odd about this wine... at all. It carries the rich texture and density of a great wine with a nice level of acidity and structure to hold it steady. Worthy of its hefty price. — a year ago

Donald Patz

Owner/Winemaker Patz & Hall

Sage Ridge Vineyard is in the eastern hills of the Napa Valley above Lake Hennessy. It’s an amazing site. The Secret Door version comes from Block 38 aka “Coyote Lookout” 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Very intense without being over the top. It’s my wine - I’ll not inflate the score with my own rating. — 4 months ago

Donald Patz

Owner/Winemaker Patz & Hall

9.2

A monumental vintage in the Napa Valley that forever changed the interest and image of California wine. Burgess Cellars was producing some very compelling wines and this Vintage Selection is in its decline but still very good. Deep aromas of coffee, tobacco and aromatic wood along with floral and retained cherry/raspberry fruit notes. Drink now if you are lucky enough to have any. With all old wines storage is the key. — a year ago

with Faith and Jack

Donald Patz

Owner/Winemaker Patz & Hall

9.4

Mountain fruit always brings the tannins to the front but this 2016 Robert Craig version has plenty of ripe fruit to back it up. One of the wines I suspect will outlive a lot of us sharing our favorites here. This would be stride for stride with the most expensive Napa Cabernet Sauvignon wines. It’s a real deal. #californiawinechallenge — a year ago

Donald Patz

Owner/Winemaker Patz & Hall

Not rating my own wine but it’s what I think of - when I think of Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine seems like it’s on a long aging curve. Hirondelle Vineyard lies in the heart of Stags Leap and shows it. I recommend a generous decant for 30min if you’re going to drink before 2027. — 4 months ago

Donald Patz

Owner/Winemaker Patz & Hall

8.1

I love Alder Springs Vineyard. It’s a fabulous spot dedicated to top quality growing and a variety of grape types. The people are just the best. It’s possible that the synthetic “cork” put me off but this wine was wobbling badly. Very over-the-top prune-tobacco - distinct oxidation - I’m sure this was better 10 years ago. Very possibly a storage issue since I purchased this at auction. Bummer. — a year ago

Donald Patz

Owner/Winemaker Patz & Hall

9.2

These are fun wines to discover. Pilcrow. Not a family name! I love Napa Cabernet Sauvignon as you can tell - even though I probably drink a lot more Pinot Noir. Seek this out. All my favorite Napa Cabernet Sauvignon wines are both concentrated and balanced - nice work here! Ripe cherry/boysenberry cola flavors wound up with enough tannin to warrant a couple of decades in the deepest cold cellar. — a year ago