Shibumi Knoll is gone but the thirst for great Chardonnay lingers…

And there is no getting enough of Patz & Hall.

Durell is rarely seen under $100.

And NEVER at $28… after all, Kistler, Three Sticks, TOR, Sojourn, Gary Farrell have built their impeccable reputations on this site. Prices for this premium fruit can easily escalate a Chardonnay into the $150-200 range and “values” from Durell are rare as hens’ teeth.

This strikes a perfect balance between a California and Burgundy. Not too oaky, and not super buttery. But it has enough wood influence to give it some added weight and complexity. Roasted hazelnut, toffee, and creme brulee, with crushed stones, marzipan, and apricot. It’s rich, and powerful, but not in the sense of delivering gobs of ripe fruit and butter, and a beautiful acidity keeps it from stalling out.

Per Sonoma Magazine Durell is one of “the Most Iconic Vineyards in Sonoma County:” “in a unique setting at the intersection of three different grapegrowing regions, offering elements of each - the cool and foggy coast, the moderating bay influence from the Carneros, and the warmer temperatures of the Sonoma Valley. Nearly every afternoon, a stiff wind blows in, which slows down the ripening of the grapes and helps develop fruit of a nuanced, complex character. It’s a pioneering site in the county, first planted in the 1970s and spawning dozens of top wines from different producers over the years.”

When Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate endorses a producer with the highest of praises as “Patz & Hall has a long and enviable track record, making Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from some of the very finest single vineyards in Northern California and the wines are sure bets” you know that they are. No wonder Wine Spectator calls them “one of California’s most consistently outstanding Pinot and Chardonnay producers.”

Over the years well-off collectors stockpiled single-vineyards like Ritchie, Zio Tony, Sobranes, Pisoni, Hyde, Bootlegger’s Hill, (and on, and on…) from Patz & Hall. And they did so at well-deserved prices, usually in the $55-115 range. A disturbance in the force? A shift in the laws of pricing that will forever alter your perception of reality. One that will really annoy the competition? In our two decades, we’ve seen very, few highly desirable brands and wines offered at ‘what’s-the-catch’ type prices.

Perhaps a minor ‘catch’ is that Patz & Hall’s 2018 Durell has NO reviews or ratings. Don’t let that deter you though, as the 2017 AND 2019 were deemed “excellent, highly recommended” by Wine Enthusiast: “from a site sourced by the producer since 2000, the Durell Chardonnay delivers intensity within a balanced package of crisp acidity and vibrant minerality” they wrote…

We echo what San Francisco Chronicle says, “Patz & Hall understands Pinot Noir and Chardonnay lovers. Its ability to express the nuances of these two grapes in the glass can transport you to one of the many prized properties where they grow.”

And we understand you, dear Operatives. How precious your time is, therefore rather than hazing your mind with our own superlatives, we’ll be emphasizing what makes every one of these legendary single vineyards so exclusive and exceptional, to let you decide which you fancy most amongst them. Like a kid in a candy store, which is exactly how we felt tasting through all this gorgeousness.

When this is gone, it’s GONE. Deals this good don’t come around often.