2012 Pinot Noirs – Talbott Sleepy Hollow and Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast
I had these soon after the 2005 Mount Eden Chardonnay, but that was a perfect wine that deserved its own note.
Not that there were any flies on either of these, but there was a controversy. The Talbott was very Burgundian, while the Patz & Hall screamed ‘New World’ and the tasters were evenly split on preference, with everybody but me strongly favoring one or the other.
Talbott: Medium ruby color with a tiny bit of bricking. The aromas feature red cherry and an abundance of earthy character; clean dirt, nothing at all funky. There were lovely secondary notes. The palate was medium bodied, with the texure showing more breadth than depth, there was fine subtlety, with black cherry joining the red, a hint of red plum, a lot of earth and a pleasingly spherical feeling. The finish was surprisingly long. Rated 91, seems fully mature but I would not be afraid to hold a few years.
Patz & Hall: Deep crimson to the rim. The aromas are more powerful but simpler, black rather than red cherry with a mineral hint. The palate is ripe and polished, again with glossy black cherry fruit and maybe a touch of black raspberry; I didn’t look at the alcohols, but I’d guess this a point higher than the Talbott. The fruit and mid-palate were very satisfying, the finish was shorter and simpler. Can you say ‘fruit bomb’? Rated 91, seems like it could improve for a few years.
I preferred the Patz & Hall with the grilled duck, but even though it was richer, I would prefer the Talbott in the fall or winter and it would definitely be better with confit or cassoulet.
A very enjoyable and interesting comparison.
Dan Kravitz