- Tasting: Donald Patz Wine Group
- Date: Tuesday 2/28/23
- Location: Almacén del Vino, Guaynabo
- Distributor: B. Fernández
- Wines:
- L’Origan Cava Brut Nature, Spain, NV
- La Riviere Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, (2017)
- Dutton Ranch Shop Block 1967 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley(2017)
- Le Russe Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley (2018)
- Martaella Vineyard Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley (2018)
- JML Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley (2018)
- Secret Door Hirondelle Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley (2018)
- Secret Door Sage Ridge Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley (2019)
**I haven’t done this in a while. At least on this medium I had not done it. Been so focused on the grapes list that I’ve put aside writing about specific tastings. And I’ve done quite a few. So here we are. Let’s do this.
Donald Patz is a household name. He’s been involved with California wines since the late 80’s and was one of the founders of famed brand Patz & Hall. After selling his part in the business he decided to start various independent projects which he shared with us recently.
Before the event started, we were received with a new Cava that I had not only not tried before, but not heard of before. L’Origan Cava Brut Nature. What an impressive sparkling wine. It had a conquering aroma and it was very nice on palate. It was interesting because the blend had the traditional three cava grapes + Chardonnay. Also, like always, the team at El Almacén del Vino was on point and attentive.
Once the tasting started, Donald talked a bit about himself, his trajectory and his future with the Donald Patz Wine Group. I loved the story of how he got his wife to move to CA by making Cabernet Sauvignon and making a wine with her name. He’s a very engaging interlocutor. At one point, he said something in the lines of, and I’m paraphrasing, I like that people love my previous work, but I hope they remember me for my newest projects. In a way he reminded me of a singer, part of a successful group, that decides to go solo. He enjoyed his time with the band, he acknowledges he owes a lot to it, but he still has so much to offer, and with that previous knowledge he embarks in a solo venture to take us for a ride.
And so we started with the wines from Maritana Vineyards in the Russian River Valley within Sonoma County, California. We tried two white wines:
- La Riviere Chardonnay (2017)
- Dutton Ranch Shop Block 1967 Chardonnay (2017)
Great expressions of a Chardonnay with individual characteristics and stories. Especially the Dutton Ranch. Grape growing in Napa and who buys them during different periods of time should be like a mandatory history class for those interested in California wines. But seriously, that second wine can go head to head with some Chablis I know any day of the week.
We followed with two red wines:
- Le Russe Pinot Noir (2018)
- Martaella Vineyard Pinot Noir (2018)
Once again, same year, same area but two different profiles. Le Russe had the fruit more present up front while Martaella was a bit more austere, elegant with marked acidity yet presents an interesting aging opportunity.
At this point we switched to the Cabernet Sauvignons from Secret Door Winery which is a love letter from Donald to his wife Jung Min Lee, avid fan of cabs. This particular winery is in the Stags Leap District in Napa Valley
- JML Cabernet Sauvignon (2018)
- Secret Door Hirondelle Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (2018)
One thing I loved, and if you follow my project you know I’m passionate about, is that Donald makes an argument to go 100% single varietal in these wines. Meaning, let cabernet express itself regardless of what’s allowed to add to it. These wines are formidable and over 93 points from well respected reviewers. JML is balanced with poised tannins and good red fruit. While the Hirondelle is a powerful long-life investment that even so, drinks great now.
As a bonus, we were delighted to try something new that isn’t yet available in our market.
- Secret Door Sage Ridge Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (2019)
A fantastic wine today, and undoubtedly tomorrow because the aging potential is something else. Great profile all around from aroma to finish. Now with the exception of JML, Secret Door wines are a tad more exclusive with fewer quantities and a higher sticker price. That being said, the quality of these wines is remarkable. Quite happy I got to try them.
At one point of the evening when we were talking about the doors in the label someone suggested that for one of the next ones he should use the San Juan Door (famous staple from our history Old San Juan) and I must say…it is a beautiful historic door that would look great on the label.
We ended the evening just talking with Donald on a variety of subjects from Puerto Rico, to the Glass fire and the 2020 vintage to many other things. It’s just great to talk with someone that loves what they do because they can transfer that passion with their words and in this case with their wines as well.
