California - Day 13 (Patz & Hall and Frog's Leap)

Lucky 13.  Our wine trip is coming to an end.  Before we depart for San Francisco we hop in the car and head down 17 Mile Drive, walk around Carmel, and travel Route 1 south.  The scenery was beautiful and the weather delightful.   Next it's a two and a half hour drive to San Francisco.   

In San Francisco the only thing on our agenda was The Press Club.  Planning our trip to arrive in San Francisco on this day was luck (a lot of luck this trip).  The Press Club was having their "Visiting Vintner" series.  This night was Frogs Leap and Patz & Hall.  Dave tasted Patz & Hall wines. I tasted Frog's Leap.  We parted ways at the tasting bar.  Here are the reviews.

Frog's Leap 2010 PINK, La Grenouille Rouganté .  This is a blend of 61% Zinfandel and 39% Valdiguie (a Napa Gamay).  The aroma was a refreshing, vibrant strawberry and watermelon.  Flavor, reminiscent of a Portuguese patio wine, Vinho Verde, but with more alcohol.  Crisp. Refreshing.  I could see sitting on the deck, barbecuing and enjoying this.  Even a picnic. 

Winemaker's Notes:   Ancient vine Valdigue blends with equally old Zinfandel to produce a “sunny-day” wine with bright aromas of peach blossom, strawberry, watermelon and jasmine. Laced with subtle hints of white summer flowers. Across the palate the wine is filled with the fresh picked flavors of cranberry and raspberry. With naturally low alcohol and clean, bright acidity, this wine is the perfect foil to a picnic basket filled with a baguette and some simple cheeses.

Frog's Leap 2008 Zinfandel, a blend of 80% Zinfandel, 19% Sirah, and 1% Carignane.  This was a light (as opposed to bold and jammy) Zinfandel that was well balanced.  An aroma of dark raspberry, cinnamon, spice and cocoa, with a spice and berry flavor.  Balanced, long finish. Very nice.   

Winemaker's Notes:  The Zinfandel offers lush layers of wild raspberry and mulberry underscored with a touch of cinnamon and white pepper. The ‘Pets’ deepen the rich dark color, add a weighty mid-palate and strengthen the flavors of blueberry and spice while that dash of Carignane helps to drive the finish. The tannins are polished and the texture is plush. With an alcohol under 14% this wine is rich yet quaffable and is the perfect partner for your next barbeque.

Frog's Leap 2008 Merlot from Rutherford, Napa Valley.  An aroma and flavor of light tobacco and red fruit.  Well balance and long finish.  GREAT!  

Winemaker's Notes:  Filled with fragrant notes of rich black berry and traces of cocoa powder, the 2008 Frog’s Leap Merlot exhibits a cascading flavor profile of ripened red berries, cherry and currants, laced with hints of cigar box and dried herbs. Accentuated by delicate notes of mocha, herbs and spice. The famed ‘Rutherford Dust,’ in which the grapes were grown, generates a mouth-feel and finish that is long and lovely all wrapped in plush, soft tannins. With such a diverse set of flavors and bright acidity this wine can be paired with a wide range of food from lamb stew to chocolate soufflé. 

At this point in the trip, Dave's finished analyzing wine.   But, lucky for me, I was given a taste of a Patz & Hall wine of my choosing.  I selected their 2009 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir.  WOW!  A heavenly aroma and flavor of cherry and cocoa. Slight spice in the finish.  Well balanced. Silky.

Winemaker's Notes:  The aromas reveal inviting layers of strawberry, cherry, cranberry and Kirsch that are echoed on the palate alongside notes of spicy fruit. The tannins are broad and muscular, adding mouth coating richness and vibrant intensity. Lush and compelling now, but with a depth and structure that bodes well for extended aging.

For most of the night Dave raved about how great the Patz & Hall wines were.  Based on the one I had, I completely agree.  Frog's Leap wines were also excellent.  I will be purchasing these when I get back home. (They weren't for sale at the Press Club. Not to mention no more room in our suitcases.)