2019 Maritana Vineyards “Le Russe” Pinot Noir – A Case of Mistaken Identity Pulled from the Cellar
I will explain the mistaken identity later in the story.
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
I have consistently used the analogy of Pinot Noirs to a professional ballerina. This Pinot Noir is graceful, elegant, and powerful and possesses an appreciation of the strength/finesse of a ballerina. This wine has received 95 to points from Robert Parker, but with age will only improve. “Le Russe” means Russian as the wine comes from the Russian River Valley known for the exquisite Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
This picture is from a previous story written on the 2018 “Le Russe” Pinot Noir. It captures the power and beauty of this wine and also reminds me of the wafting fragrance.
On the eyes, a crisp purple/red hues are striking with a slight translucence. On the nose, aromas of cherry and strawberries first awaken the senses. The enticement to sip compelling, beckoning one to seek that first sip. Upon the first taste, the palate is greeted with raspberry, strawberry, cinnamon and a hint of nutmeg. Soft and velvety tannins embrace the long lasting almost perpetual finish.
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
If you have read this far, you now will understand why the title of this article. It was a case of mistaken identity as both Maritana Chardonnay & Pinot Noir share the same label design. I mistakenly did not look at the label as I had stored in the cellar listing it (again incorrectly) as a Chardonnay! I opened the wine and began pouring it and it was red to my surprise and not glistening gold!
The meal this evening was going to be a simple wintery “comfort food” of a new recipe found called Grilled Three Cheese Sandwiches with Mustard Aioli. Some effort was expended in finding the cheeses having to go to separate stores finding them! Served with a mustard aioli on the side. So this was a purposed wine and meal dinner to be enjoyed with a delicious Maritana Chardonnay. “Mea culpa” to my wife and Donald Patz!
The cheeses used were a Board’s Head Fontina, a Red Apple Smoked Gruyere (Wisconsin) and a Monterey Jack cheese. The sandwich was very good, a bit “plain tasting” but a Chardonnay would have gone excellent with this! The Pinot Noir was so delicious but a too sharp a contrast with the cheeses. One positive note from the evening’s food & wine pairing was next time, besides double checking and selecting the correct wine, was to substitute smoked Gouda and perhaps add a smidgen of minced jalapeño peppers or other spices into the cheeses to increase the flavor.
Sláinte,
Michael