2018 Patz & Hall Wine Company Pinot Noir Alder Springs Vineyard Mendocino County 750 ml

Along with names like Williams Selyem and Kistler, Patz & Hall practically created the elite canon of Sonoma Pinot Noir. Wine Spectator has called them “one of California’s most consistently outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay producers.”

Patz & Hall co-founder James Hall, who resumed ownership of the estate last year, has decades-long contracts with legendary vineyards like Dutton Ranch, Hyde, Gap’s Crown, Pisoni and the legendary Alder Springs Vineyard in Mendocino—meaning he gets pick of the litter every season.

Like most prestige wineries, Patz & Hall makes a minute quantity of single-site Pinots and a mere 18 barrels of Alder Springs were produced in the 2018 vintage—a season renowned for its moderate temperatures and long, even growing conditions. Now with six years of age, the 2018 Alder Springs Pinot Noir is proudly strutting right now, with a red floral bouquet of red roses and lilac, accented by bright Bing cherry flavors and hints of spice. Smooth and charismatic on the palate, it’s built to last another decade.

The distinctive power of this Pinot comes from the Alder Springs Vineyard, a high-elevation jewel just 11 miles from Mendocino’s rugged Pacific coastline. Here, ancient marine soils devoid of nutrients force the vines to struggle, churning out tiny, concentrated berries with a deep ruby color. Meanwhile, cold Pacific Fog forces the grapes to ripen slowly—gradually developing their powerful balance of dark fruit notes and laser-like acidity.

In the glass, this 2018 shows why experienced Pinot-philes hold Patz & Hall in the same regard as the triple-digit-priced giants of California. Powerful, elegant, and spiced, there might be no more impressive Pinot on the market for the price.