2020 Moses-Hall Vineyard Pinot Noir
95 points
Wine Enthusiast
2020 produced yields below 1.5 tons to the acre, the lowest yields ever at Moses-Hall. The very small berry size produced a dense and rich wine, brimming with plush, finely grained tannins. The vineyard’s signature notes of cinnamon, lavender, mulled cherries, and dark chocolate form complex layers that vie for attention as they linger into a plush and resolved finish. A slight note of sea spray hints at the proximity to the ocean. This is, perhaps, the finest vintage of Moses-Hall to date.
The year began with a very dry winter, leaving some vineyards with reduced water for the growing season. This translated into smaller berries, adding extra intensity to the aromas and flavors of the 2020 wines. The harvest at Patz & Hall wrapped up in late September, making it the earliest end of picking in my 30+ years of winemaking. Though 2020 produced record small yields, the quality was remarkable, with most vineyards producing wines of depth, intensity, and dramatic concentration. The Chardonnays are showing intricate aromatics and deep flavors while the Pinot Noirs show very dark and concentrated flavors with developed tannins. Overall, I’m very pleased with the strength and vitality of the 2020 wines and believe they have a long life ahead in the cellar.
As the name implies, Moses-Hall Vineyard is owned by two of the Patz & Hall cofounders: Anne Moses and James Hall. Anne and James purchased the property (which is located between Hudson and Hyde vineyards in the southern part of Carneros) in 1999. One of the coolest areas of Carneros, close to San Pablo Bay where the chilly pacific winds roll over the vineyard from two directions, the vineyard is situated on an uplifted knoll with well-draining gravelly soils. The vineyard was planted to James and Anne’s specifications to five selections of Pinot Noir: 777, Swan, Calera, 828 and 115. With 20+ years of vine age, the vineyard consistently yields grapes that produce lovely layers of red fruit, as well as darker, more savory elements.
100% Burgundian French oak barrels (42% new; 58% 1 year old) All three-year air-dried staves
Bottled without filtration to preserve the wine’s aromas and flavors and enhance aging potential
This wine is Vegan
- Type:
- Red
- Varietal:
- Pinot Noir
- Region:
- California
- Appellation:
- Carneros
- Vintage:
- 2020
- Blend:
- 100% Pinot Noir
- Alcohol:
- 14.5%
- Fermentation:
- Multi-yeast fermentations (native yeast, followed by cultured yeast); 100% Malo-lactic fermentation in barrel