Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2021 (75cl, 14.5%)

A Sonoma Coast Chardonnay from Patz & Hall, founded in 1988, bottled at 14.5% ABV in a 750ml bottle. The grapes are hand-sorted twice and whole-cluster pressed, then fermented with native yeast and aged for eleven months in French oak before bottling without filtration. The winery sources fruit through multigenerational grower partnerships rather than estate vineyards. The wine is medium-bodied with a silky texture, vibrant acidity and minerality characteristic of the Sonoma Coast AVA. The nose opens with Bartlett pear and Meyer lemon, then white flowers, light butter, baking spice and toasted oak. The palate brings ripe pear, peach, lemon curd and green apple, with brioche and hazelnut from French oak. The finish is moderately long with honeyed citrus and toasted baking spice.