2019 Maritana Vineyards Shop Block 1967 Russian River Chardonnay
The Winery
(Donald Patz standing in Shop Block with Hansen Hill behind him)
Maritana Vineyards is one of the wineries founded by Donald Patz in 2017. The Maritana label is dedicated to making Russian River Valley Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines. His other brands are 1) Secret Door making Cabernet Sauvignon from selected vineyards exclusively from the Napa Valley and 2) Terminim making Mendocino County Marsanne/Roussanne and Syrah wines.
The man behind these three astonishing labels has had this vision and energy combined with 40 years of making exquisite wines. Wine aficionados have already acknowledge his craftsmanship in bringing forth these wines and also many wine judges!
Click on links below to read more:
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
On the eyes a beautiful and glistening golden yellow flirts with your visual impression. In the glass, the color reinvigorates itself constantly beckoning you to pick up this heavy viscosity wine. Once you take the glass to your nose, the aromas of honeysuckle, toasted almonds and brioche swarm your senses. In the background vanilla and fresh honey (but not sweet) provide an intoxicating aroma. Once in mouth, the palate begins to find the aforementioned aromas now in your taste buds. Additionally, the texture and mouth fill is “other worldly” with a fullness and creaminess, but not that “over the top butter”. That alone is worth the “price of admission” for this wine yet there is still more to be tasted – soft rounded lemon, apple and peach. None are sharp or jagged, just lurking in the shadows of your mouth. Once the finish comes into play, the refined structure, minerality and then the clarity of thought hits you like never before – this is no ordinary Chardonnay. This Maritana wine has both Herculean strength and panache in the same bottle!
50 year old Chardonnay vines at Shop Block on Dutton Ranch from their website
The Shop Block is the only remaining vineyard planted at Dutton Ranch from 1967 with about 1/3 being original as some replanting has taken place. The wine was hand harvested and hand sorted. They used 20% new French oak barrels with the remaining being one year used. The wine was not fined but it was filtered. Available at the winery for $70. Wine Advocate rated it 93 points. If you have a special occasion coming up, this is one to enjoy!
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
Paired this evening at Verona18 at the Copper Valley Golf Club with a daily special offer of Jumbo Scallops Beurre Blanc. Cooked to perfection and able to cut with a fork. Accompanied by cauliflower mashed potato and greenbean almondine.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
Also enjoyed the Little Gem Wedge salad with Blue cheese, croutons, bacon, hard-boiled egg, red onion, cherry tomatoes and blue cheese dressing.
Sláinte,
Michael
https://californiawinesandwineries.com
https://www.coppervalleygolf.com/homepage/current-operations