PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
The 2021 Patz & Hall Bootlegger’s Hill Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is an expressive and refined California Pinot Noir with clear varietal purity, elegant structure, and layered complexity. Combining bright fruit intensity with savory nuance and polished tannins, this single-vineyard bottling embodies both the distinctive terroir of Russian River Valley and Patz & Hall’s meticulous artisanal approach.
This wine hails from the Bootlegger’s Hill Vineyard, a cool-climate site nestled in the Russian River Valley AVA of Sonoma County — a region renowned for producing world-class Pinot Noir. Planted to premium Dijon clones and influenced by proximity to the Pacific Ocean and cooling fog, the site yields small berries with intense fruit flavor and vibrant acidity. Patz & Hall, a winery founded in 1988 and dedicated to terroir-driven, handcrafted Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, sources fruit selectively from this vineyard to produce a focused single-site expression.
The 2021 vintage was vinified with a combination of careful extraction and gentle handling to preserve brightness and purity. Fermentation included native yeast activity and was followed by aging in French oak (a blend of new and seasoned barrels) to support complexity without overwhelming the varietal character, and the wine was bottled unfined to retain aromatic and textural nuance.
The 2021 Bootlegger’s Hill Pinot Noir has been well regarded by established wine media: Wine Enthusiast awards this wine 94 points, praising its layered structure, depth, and well-integrated tannins. The characterful fruit core and balanced acidity reflect both vintage quality and site expression.
Wine Spectator reviewers have also praised the wine in the 92-point range for its ripe raspberry and boysenberry flavors with hints of licorice root and subtle spice, noting that it will drink beautifully through 2028.
Nose:
Intense and fragrant aromatics of Bing cherry, strawberry and dried rose petal on the nose, complemented by exotic spice notes and subtle herbal hints that evoke the cool-climate character of Russian River Valley fruit.
Palate:
The palate is medium-to-full-bodied with succulent layers of red plum, boysenberry, and raspberry, supported by gentle bay laurel and umami-like savory tones. Silky texture and finely grained tannins provide structure while preserving vibrancy.
Finish:
The finish is poised and well-balanced, with lingering dark fruit and spice accents and a refined tannic backbone that invites another sip.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| ABV / Proof | ~14.5% |
| Origin / Region | Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA |
| Production or Grape Type | 100% Pinot Noir |
| Aging or Maturation | French oak barrels (new & seasoned) |
| Aromas & Flavors | Cherry, plum, strawberry, spice, subtle herbal notes |
| Style / Identity | Single-vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir |
"A relatively soft bottling for this winery, it offers lush, broad dark plum and cherry aromas, a silky texture and light tannins well integrated with the luscious fruits and light oak spices." Wine Enthusiast 94 Points
"Ripe and direct, offering a burst of tasty raspberry and boysenberry fruit flavors. There's a light hint of licorice root for spine, with a backdrop of red tea and dried anise notes filling in through the finish. Drink now through 2028." Wine Spectator 92 Points
Bottle Size: All bottles are 750ML/700ML unless otherwise noted.
21 and Over: Adult Signature Required
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