Bruce Patch cut his teeth in the music industry — having once met the Beatles and helped to discover the famous 80’s band, The Cars. Bruce moved to the Russian River Valley in the late 1990’s, and transitioned his sales and marketing background into a successful distribution business representing small independent wineries in Sonoma County. Bruce Patch Wines sources grapes from throughout Sonoma County, including many notable vineyards like Clopton, Harris-Kratka and Carreras.
The winery recently sent me their new releases to sample.
2014 Bruce Patch Wines The Red Dress Zinfandel Blend – Purple in color. 15.1% ABV. 63% Zinfandel, 16% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot and small amounts of Carignane and Petite Sirah. Black fruits, dark chocolate and plums on the nose. Rich and elegant. Blackberry, cherry and black pepper on palate. The finish is long and spicy. The blend works. Drink over the next 4-6 years. $35 at the winery and retail. 90 cases made. My rating: 90 points.
2014 Bruce Patch Wines Patchwork Zinfandel Blend – Dark red in color. 15.2% ABV. Predominantly Zinfandel and Carignane. Pretty nose of dark fruits, slate, earth and minerals. Medium body with medium acidity. Plush and elegant with great mouth feel. Cherries, white pepper and blackberries on the palate. Delicious and easy to drink. Best over the next 3-5 years. $40 at the winery and retail. My rating: 91 points.
2013 Bruce Patch Wines Zinfandel Clopton Vineyard – Opaque purple in color. 15.5% ABV. Predominantly Zinfandel and Alicante Bouchet. Gorgeous nose of red fruits, twizzlers, earth and cocoa powder. Chewy, powerful and extracted. Full bodied with ample acidity. Raspberry liquer, white pepper and cherries on the palate. The finish is exquisite. Drink over the next 4-6 years. $48 at the winery. My rating: 93 points.
2013 Bruce Patch Wines Zinfandel Harris Kratka Vineyard – Bright crimson in color. 16.9% ABV. 85% Zinfandel, 10% Carignane and 5% Petit Sirah. Brambly black fruits, figs and licorice on the nose. Big and full bodied with enough acidity to keep the alcohol in check. Ripe and jammy. Blackberry liqueur, raspberry compote and pepper on the palate. The finish is long and plush. Just a massive Zinfandel that is likely best over the next 2-4 years. $48 at the winery. My rating: 92 points.
Bruce Patch Wines is a winery that, until recently, I was unfamiliar with. This set of samples has placed the winery on my radar. Worth your attention!
As an aside the aforementioned Clopton Vineyard was recently torn out to make way for a casino. Super unfortunate and another reason to support the Historic Vineyard Society.
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