2021 Secret Door Winery, Sage Ridge Vineyards, Napa Valley
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The Winery
Secret Door Winery is one of the wineries founded by Donald Patz in 2017 with his partner Jung Min Lee. The Secret Door label is dedicated to making Cabernet Sauvignon from selected vineyards exclusively from the Napa Valley. His other brands are 1) Maritana Vineyards making Russian River Valley Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines 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 acknowledged his craftsmanship in bringing forth these wines and also many wine judges!
The Winery Name of Secret Door Winery
Maybe it is about one door opening and another closing? Mysterious secrets behind the door? Or perhaps something entire different. So I asked Donald what was the origin of the name Secret Door Winery.
Jung Min Lee was a real supporter of Donald Patz’s time at Patz & Hall eventually learning to love Pinot Noir, too. Donald had promised Jung Min that if she would move to California from Virginia to be with him he would – someday – make a Cabernet Sauvignon wine for her.
In Donald’s words, “I was thinking about a new Cabernet Sauvignon project in honor of my wife even as I finished up my time at Patz & Hall in 2016 and early 2017. The original door I used on the 2014 Secret Door (purchased wine in process that we finished) was the inspiration. I wanted a name for this Cabernet Sauvignon that was literal – it’s easier to remember. I had the red door picture on my computer for probably 15 years and if you recall we all had “screen saver” software. My screensaver dipped into the pictures on the computer randomly and projected them. Each time the red door came up I would think “secret door” – so when I was looking for potential names I also stumbled across that same red door”. There is a lot more, but I will leave that for you to read on their website link.
Since the 2014 vintage Secret Door has used a different “secret” door picture each year. They have come from all over – France, Morocco, India, Greece, Sweden and the USA.
Click on links below to read more:
The Wine – “Wine is bottled poetry” – Robert Louis Stevenson
Photo ©Michael Kelly
While the name Secret Door as explained above, it may also mean that opening the door (bottle) will reveal new adventures. It definitely is with this wine. While the secret on how to make it may not be revealed, when tasting it Donald has remarkably kept this secret to himself! Firstly the Sage Ridge Vineyard is in the eastern hills above the valley floor. The specific portion of the vineyard is Block 38 which is only a 1.2 acre site. Two unique factors play a large part in this Block 38, the high elevation site exposure and the clone heritage from Martha’s Vineyard. It is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Now the wine. In the glass a deep ruby coloration with royal purple hues and a medium-heavy viscosity greet the imbiber. On the nose, aromas swirl about in the olfactory senses of freshly picked black cherry and blueberries. On the palate, the symphony of flavors develop slowly and steadily and with resounding dynamic tastes of dark enticing fruits of blackberry and plum and secondary flavors of blueberries and raspberries. On the finish a skosh amount, hints of minerality and soft vanilla pipe tobacco guide the way for understanding the depth of the wine. Tannins are present with velvety “stickiness” but not overwhelming. An extremely secret wine with a price tag of around $200/bottle.
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
Even while it was cold outside (45 degrees), the rain had stopped, we still enjoy BBQ-ing with the Napoleon infrared side burner! The best way to sear in the juices of a special cut of filet mignon steak! Seasoned and seared over temperatures reaching 1600-1800 degrees to lock in the juices.
Photo ©Michael Kelly
The steak was chosen to go with the wine selection of the evening. The filet mignon was seared on the outside to medium rare inside and with a dollop of Blue cheese (Point Reyes) butter combination with chives. Accompanied by roasted Brussel sprouts drizzled with reduced balsamic vinegar and Yukon Gold potatoes seasoned with salt/pepper, and quartered potatoes also roasted.
This wine most definitely made my Best Wines annual list tasted for 2024! Perhaps the real Secret is how fast you can get your hands on bottle!
Sláinte,
Michael