Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2017

Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2017 is a 750ml, unfiltered Pinot Noir sourced from 18 vineyards across California's Sonoma Coast AVA. Built on whole-cluster fermentation and French oak aging, this vintage showcases the multi-site blending philosophy that has defined winemaker James Hall's approach since the winery's founding in 1988.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.2%  |  Origin: Sonoma Coast, California  |  Vintage: 2017  |  Winery: Patz & Hall Wine Company

Production & Heritage

Patz & Hall was founded in 1988 by Donald Patz, James Hall, Anne Moses, and Heather Patz with a singular focus on Burgundian varieties from top California vineyards. For this Sonoma Coast bottling, Hall draws fruit from 18 individual vineyard sites spanning the Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley, fermenting with 100% whole clusters. Fermentation begins with ambient yeasts to capture site-specific character, then finishes with cultured yeasts for reliability. The wine ages in French oak barrels—45% new—and is bottled without filtration, preserving the textural nuance and complexity that the multi-vineyard blend delivers.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The glass opens with expressive Bing cherry and roasted cranberry, layered with rose petal and licorice. Deeper swirls reveal woodsmoke, orange peel, and a savory thread of dried sage.

Taste: Entry is silky and precise, with bright red cherry and strawberry filling the mid-palate. The wine builds density without heaviness, with flavors of black cherry, cola, and forest floor emerging alongside a savory herbal undertone. Fresh acidity keeps the fruit lifted and lively throughout.

Finish: Long and finely grained, with tannins that feel polished rather than drying. Lingering notes of dark berry, gentle spice, and subtle carnation flower trail to a clean, mouthwatering close.

How to Drink Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast

Serve at 58–62°F to let the aromatic complexity fully open without muting the acidity. A brief 20–30 minute decant benefits this 2017 vintage, softening tannins and amplifying the savory herb and cherry layers. This Pinot Noir is a natural match for roasted duck breast, where its acidity and berry fruit cut through rich, rendered fat. Grilled salmon with a cherry balsamic reduction echoes the wine's dominant fruit tones. Wild mushroom risotto pairs exceptionally well, mirroring the forest-floor quality in the mid-palate.

Best For

• Gifting a Pinot Noir enthusiast who appreciates multi-vineyard complexity
• An autumn dinner party centered around roasted game or braised meats
• Exploring Sonoma Coast terroir through a single, well-composed blend
• Cellaring short-term (1–3 years) to see how the 2017 vintage evolves in bottle

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir taste like? It leads with bright Bing cherry and strawberry wrapped in silky tannins, with a savory mid-palate of dried sage, cola, and forest floor balanced by mouthwatering acidity.

How does Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast compare to La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir? Both source from the Sonoma Coast AVA and share a fruit-forward, balanced profile, but Patz & Hall draws from 18 distinct vineyards and uses whole-cluster fermentation with 45% new French oak, lending more structural complexity and a more savory, layered character. La Crema tends toward a lighter, more immediately approachable style with brighter fruit and less oak influence.

Is Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast good for sipping neat? Yes—this wine is designed for attentive drinking, with enough aromatic depth and textural detail to reward careful attention on its own, especially with a short decant.

Where is Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast made? Patz & Hall Wine Company is based in Sonoma, California, and sources fruit from 18 vineyards primarily located in the Sonoma Coast AVA and adjacent Russian River Valley.

What foods pair well with Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast? Roasted duck breast mirrors the wine's dark cherry and spice notes. Grilled salmon works well, especially with a berry-based glaze that echoes the fruit profile. Wild mushroom dishes amplify the earthy, forest-floor quality. Aged Gruyère complements the savory herbal undertones. Herb-roasted pork tenderloin balances the wine's acidity and silky body.

What sizes does Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle.

Is Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast worth the price? This wine positions in the premium tier for Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, sitting above everyday offerings from the region but well below single-vineyard bottlings from comparable producers—its 18-vineyard sourcing and whole-cluster, unfiltered winemaking deliver complexity that justifies the category placement.

Why Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast?

What sets this wine apart is the sheer scope of its blending program. Drawing from 18 separate vineyards gives winemaker James Hall a palette most Sonoma Coast producers simply don't have, and the 2017 vintage expresses that breadth as a layered interplay of bright red fruit, savory herb, and earth. The whole-cluster fermentation and unfiltered bottling preserve a textural depth that rewards patient drinking. For anyone seeking a Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir that balances accessibility with genuine winemaking ambition, this remains a compelling choice in its tier.