“Old Patch”

In 1868, pioneering botanist Andrew Bouton established Heart’s Desire Nursery just to the east of the railroad tracks outside of Geyserville, California. He would soon introduce acres of head-trained vines, including Zinfandel and Carignane. Over the years, Bouton’s historic planting came to be known as “Old Patch” — a vineyard that has consistently dazzled Robert Parker, Jr.

When they first settled in Northern California, Evelyn and Leo Trentadue carried on the Italian family’s long tradition of farming. But by the late 1950s, there was little market for apples, prunes, pears, and table grapes. As developers encroached upon their orchards, already blueprinting what would eventually come to be called the Silicon Valley, the Trentadues packed up and moved north to Sonoma Valley.

At the time, few in Sonoma Valley were giving much thought to winegrowing. As a result, land was dirt cheap, and many ranches were up for sale for next to nothing. Leo Trentadue visited dozens of properties before settling on a 208-acre spread. That purchase would prove to be one of the most fortuitous in the history of Alexander Valley, even if Leo had never even heard of Andrew Bouton.

The Trentadue “Old Patch Red” is named for those original late-1800s plantings. Drawn from an old-vine mix of Zinfandel and Carignane, splashed with luscious Petite Sirah. In “good” vintages, Trentadue’s “Old Patch” ranks among the three or four most compelling under-$15 reds in California.

And in GREAT vintages like 2015? Trentadue “Old Patch Red” Lot 43 is a $25 bottle masquerading behind a $12.50 price tag.

The 2015 Trentadue “Old Patch Red” Lot 43 is opaque purple in color. Plush aromas of black cherry and mountain blueberry, tinged with Asian spices. MASSIVELY concentrated, yet unusually light on its feet and vibrant in 2015, packed with gobs of black-fruit preserves, black chocolate, and a splash of kirsch, lightly touched with new-wood cedar. Don’t be fooled by the modest price tag. This is an unusually complex old-vine blend that pays homage to Andrew Bouton’s experimental planting and the Trentadue family’s intuition and perseverance.

Offered only by the case at $149 — all shipping and handling costs included. NOT to be missed.