Donald Patz is a winemaker who had already achieved fame and recognition over a three-decade career in the wine industry at Patz & Hall Winery in Sonoma, hand crafting single vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from respected growers. After an illustrious career at Patz & Hall, Donald departed from the winery in 2017. Afterwards, instead of retiring, he decided to reset his compass. He directed his energy into founding three new projects: Maritana Vineyards, Secret Door Winery and a joint venture with Northern Rhone producer Francois Villard named Terminim.

This wine is sourced from the oldest vineyard within Dutton Ranch planted in 1967. There were some Dijon clone rootstocks interplanted in 1999. Donald Patz attended to every detail in crafting this expressive wine that may be a mirror image of a grand cru Mersault. Deeply golden in color there are aromas of baked apple pie with brown sugar. Medium-full bodied with a core that is deeply complex brimming with grilled pineapple, chamomile, slivered almonds and a layer of marzipan. This Chardonnay reveals an enormous personality along with a luxurious mouth-feel that continues for minutes. This bottling is destined to age gracefully in the cellar.

By W Peter Hoyne