96 The Wine Advoate
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Can a Pinot Noir producer reinvent himself as a maker of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon? That's the challenge Donald Patz has set himself with his Secret Door project, a venture inspired by his wife, Jung Min Lee, who he promised he would make Cabernet Sauvignon if she moved to Napa to be with him. Patz isn't trying to make jammy, valley-floor versions of Napa Cabernet, preferring wines with some herbal nuance. "Spicy, dried-herb bouquet garni is what I'm looking for," he said. Patz now sources grapes from Sage Ridge Vineyard (the former Pat Kuleto property) and Hirondelle Vineyard (part of Clos du Val's estate holdings). That will change going forward, as Clos du Val is reclaiming their Hirondelle fruit this year (2022). Like many Napa Valley producers, Patz didn't make any Cabernet Sauvignon in 2020.
2017 Secret Door Hirondelle Vineyard Stags Leap Cabernet Sauvignon CLUB - Loire Valley Door (France)
The 2017 vintage of HIRONDELLE VINEYARD has developed into the stuff of legends. The silky young tannins are now smoothed out into a textural robe to display the gorgeous aromas of black cherry, mocha, cool herb/spice and vanilla. It has just entered its prime drinking zone where it will no doubt be a grand wine to share for the next 20+ years. A wine that doesn’t match with your food - your food matches with it! I recently had it at a fancy wine event where there were a number of First Growth Bordeaux and the 2017 Hirondelle slew them all.
Minimum 3 bottle purchase.
Ground Shipping Included.