California Wines & Wineries

2019 Maritana Chardonnay “La Rivière” –  Uncommonly Delicious

Posted on November 26, 2023

The Winery

I interviewed Donald Patz in his living room back in 2018.  He was just starting out his venture with Maritana Vineyards a project for developing and producing the highest quality of grapes for both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Here Donald is implementing his strategy to develop a more balanced and “elegant and perfumed version to show through” with choices of grapes with selected aged barrels. On his Pinot Noir, he has secured three vineyards in the Russian River AVA. For this varietal he is using approximately 60% new oak barrels. The wines for Maritana Vineyards will be his Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2017, “Le Russe”; the Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2017 “La Rivière”; Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2017 “Dutton Ranch/Hansen Hill Vineyard” and his Russian River Chardonnay 2017 “Dutton Ranch/Shop Block 1967”. The last using vines planted in 1967 and using 50 year old vines in his Chardonnay production!

Fast forward some five years and today with four decades of experience and intricate knowledge of the vineyards, he has three specific labels. They are:

MARITANA VINEYARDS – Russian River Valley Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
SECRET DOOR WINERY – Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
TERMINIM – Mendocino County Marsanne/Roussanne and Syrah

Recently all his wines received scores in the 90’s (seven with 95 points), which shows his dedication to his craft.

The Wine 2019 Maritana Chardonnay “La Rivière” –“Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson

_{Photo ©Michael Kelly}

The specific goals for all his wines are to have beautiful floral aromas, stabilized and permanent bright coloring to the eye. Lofty and elegant goals to be sure but he is implementing creative and imaginative techniques to achieve his desired outcome. He definitely hit his mark with this Chardonnay. I knew from previous tastings this wine was going to be outstanding. “La Rivière” means “the River” referring to Russian River AVA where the vineyards are located.

First on the eyes, the clarity and brightness were ethereal straw, golden yellow and a heavy viscosity (not normally found in Chardonnay). On the nose, predominate aromas of almonds and pears. On the palate is where this wine is exceptional with its heavy and full mouth-filling essence with light lemon and fresh brioche. A slight sweet finish with flavors of caramel and counter balanced with a modicum of minerality. What the net effect provides is an elegant layered and creamy Chardonnay. This spectrum of quality is generally found in wines costing close to $100 and up. The current price is $55/bottle and it is a blend of three of his vineyards being: Shop Block 1967; Martinelli RR Vineyard and Ritchie Vineyard. The grapes are hand harvested and hand sorted using 95% used and 5% new barrels. It went through 100% secondary malolactic fermentation and is 14.07% alcohol level with 2300 cases being produced.

The Food and Wine Pairing   “Food without wine is a corpse; wine without food is a ghost. United and well matched, they are as body and soul: living partners” – Andre Simon

_{Photo ©Michael Kelly}

The dinner at Verona18 was one of their daily specials, grilled swordfish with a mango-pineapple salsa, rice pilaf and seasonal sautéed vegetables.

While knowing the daily specials decided to go with the 2019 Maritana Chardonnay “La Rivière”. While having some citrus in the salsa, the Chardonnay was a solid choice with its “heavy body and full mouth-filling”. A Sauvignon Blanc would have also worked well, but as I have stated many times, it is imperative to experiment with different food and wine pairings to refine one’s taste.

His previous vintages 2017 and 2018 have made my annual Best Wines Tasted. This will definitely be added to the list in 2023 in the $51 and up category.

Other wines enjoyed this evening were all reds with various dishes.

_{Photo ©Michael Kelly}

Sláinte,

Michael

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