2020 Bruce Patch Zinfandel, Harris Kratka Vineyard, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County
93 Points, Zinfandel Chronicles
Tasting Notes
“Purple in color. Soaring nose of black fruits, licorice, baking spices, and white pepper. Full-bodied with perfect acidity. Well balanced with intense dark fruits. Black cherry, black raspberry, spiced plums, and pepper on the palate. Nice length on the finish. Big Zinfandel from a challenging vintage that is drinking really well. Best over the next 1-2 years.” - Zinfandel Chronicles
Well balanced with intense dark fruits. Black cherry, black raspberry, spiced plums, and pepper on the palate. Bruce Patch Wines is known for our long finish. Proud to finish last!
The 17-acre Harris Kratka Vineyard sits at the southern end of the warm Alexander Valley, bordering the Chalk Hill Appellation. Marshall Harris purchased the vineyard in 1992 and grows Zinfandel, Carignane, and Petite Sirah, supplying grapes to Rosenblum, Pezzi King, DeLormier, and many other prestigious wineries in Sonoma County and Napa Valley. Marshall decided to retire after the 2020 harvest, so he leased the vineyard to another Sonoma County winery that now gets all the fruit. Thus, the 2020 vintage, our 12th consecutive Harris Kratka Zin, was our last from this esteemed vineyard.
Specs
Varietal: 100% Zinfandel
Appellation: Alexander Valley
Aged in French & American oak
Alcohol: 14.8%
Production: 150 cases
Label art by Sean Colgin
What’s Included
3-bottles:
3x 2020 Bruce Patch Zinfandel, Harris Kratka Vineyard, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County Case:
12x 2020 Bruce Patch Zinfandel, Harris Kratka Vineyard, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County
Bruce Patch cut his teeth in the music industry — having once met the Beatles and helped to discover the famous 80s band, The Cars, in his native Boston. Once on the West Coast, Bruce turned his energies to several small labels of his own focused on classic R&B and Doo Wop artists and contemporary South Pacific music. He met his partner, artist Andrea Cleall, at a donut shop on the outskirts of Topanga Canyon, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Bruce and Andrea moved to the Russian River Valley in the late 1990s, and Bruce transitioned his sales and marketing background into a successful distribution business representing small independent wineries in Sonoma County. This would lead to a passion for and knowledge of winemaking that would inspire the creation of his own wine — Wine Guerrilla. Over the course of a decade, he built the brand and won accolades for his line-up of stellar single-vineyard zinfandels.
Today, Bruce brings this history and experience to his most promising venture yet. Bruce Patch Wines sources the best grapes from throughout Sonoma County, including many vineyards like Clopton, Harris-Kratka, and Carreras Ranch with whom Bruce has long relationships and a history of producing acclaimed wines. In addition to his trademark lush, full Zinfandels, Bruce is also producing red blends and exquisite expressions of unique grapes like Primitivo and Malbec.
We hope you will enjoy these wines as much as we do. As Elvis Presley said, “If you like it, if you feel it, you can’t help but move to it.”
Cheers!
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
@ilCesare
I’m puzzled where the CT average of $15 came from, given there is no purchase info, community or stores listed.
I do rather like the label however
@ilCesare@rjquillin Not necessarily a relationship to CT average, but, and it’s a dead link now, Bottle Barn was blowing this out at $12.99 at some point in time
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2020 Bruce Patch Wines Zinfandel - $65 = 24.99%
Got the honor of reviewing the 2020 Zinfandel from Bruce Patch Wines, and it’s honestly a standout. It pours a deep crimson color that already hints at how full-bodied and robust it is. Right away, the nose hits you with smoky tobacco notes — not a lot of fruit up front, but it’s definitely there once you start sipping. The flavor is layered and complex, thanks to aging in oak barrels, which brings out all these earthy, herbal tones and a nice mix of spices. It’s a really balanced Zin that feels rich without being overpowering. Definitely one I’ll be coming back to.
I am recovering from a pretty intense cold, so my already below average sense of smell is further diminished.
I won’t let that stop me from drinking this wine…
Opened it for Sunday family dinner, PnP at cellar temperature, paired with grilled chicken, salad, and cous cous.
Here are observations from the table:
Me: Dark ruby with pale rim. Bramble red berry fruit on nose and palate, nice structure, fine tannins, pleasant but shortish finish. Great with food.
Daughter- lots on the back of tongue, there might be cherry somewhere in here. (Agree with the cherry)
Son-in-law who doesn’t drink- smells like wine.
Wife- Good wine! Pairs well with the chicken- brings out some spice.
7 year old grandson who did smell the glass: “Disgusting mixture of water, cherry, banana, and blood with mixed up glass. Dried up skin and vegetables plus chicken.”
Take that for what it’s worth…
Many hours later we finished the bottle and the wine was deeper and more developed, nice structure, long finish. Definitely still has lots of life left.
Quality Zin, well made, polished. Thumbs up. Thanks for the rat!
@wnance Did the 7-year old really say that?!
My kids would never come up with something that fun. I usually get “grapes” or “strawberries” or something like that when I ask them what they smell.
@klezman@wnance
Kids and animals notoriously unreliable to work with. But on this site the cute animals get good ratings. Cute kids, maybe not so much.
2020 Bruce Patch Zinfandel, Harris Kratka Vineyard, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County
93 Points, Zinfandel Chronicles
Tasting Notes
Specs
What’s Included
3-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$576.00/Case for 12x 2020 Bruce Patch Zinfandel, Harris Kratka Vineyard, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County at Guerrieri Rizzardi
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, May 19 - Tuesday, May 20
2020 Bruce Patch Wines Zinfandel
3 bottles for $64.99 $21.66/bottle + $2.67/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $194.99 $16.25/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
@ilCesare
I’m puzzled where the CT average of $15 came from, given there is no purchase info, community or stores listed.
I do rather like the label however
@ilCesare @rjquillin Not necessarily a relationship to CT average, but, and it’s a dead link now, Bottle Barn was blowing this out at $12.99 at some point in time
@ilCesare @kaolis @rjquillin last week. $12.99 but their shipping rates are outrageous
Bruce is the former owner of Wine Guerilla
@losthighwayz and a music guy who apparently helped discover The Cars…makes me wonder if this wine is just what I needed
@kaolis @losthighwayz I heard its Magic with no need to Shake It Up although that might be Touch And Go
@ctmariner @kaolis @losthighwayz
It’s OK, I’m in touch with your world.
@losthighwayz I imagine with the good rattage, this wine will start moving, in stereo.
@ctmariner @kaolis but who’s going to drive you home after you drink
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
2020 Bruce Patch Wines Zinfandel - $65 = 24.99%
Got the honor of reviewing the 2020 Zinfandel from Bruce Patch Wines, and it’s honestly a standout. It pours a deep crimson color that already hints at how full-bodied and robust it is. Right away, the nose hits you with smoky tobacco notes — not a lot of fruit up front, but it’s definitely there once you start sipping. The flavor is layered and complex, thanks to aging in oak barrels, which brings out all these earthy, herbal tones and a nice mix of spices. It’s a really balanced Zin that feels rich without being overpowering. Definitely one I’ll be coming back to.
Regarding the review/drinking window above, looks like recent comments, Tom Lee (Zinfandel Chronicles) posted that 3/12/25
that’s it for Monday Deep Thoughts…
fwiw
Labrat reporting in!
I am recovering from a pretty intense cold, so my already below average sense of smell is further diminished.
I won’t let that stop me from drinking this wine…
Opened it for Sunday family dinner, PnP at cellar temperature, paired with grilled chicken, salad, and cous cous.
Here are observations from the table:
Me: Dark ruby with pale rim. Bramble red berry fruit on nose and palate, nice structure, fine tannins, pleasant but shortish finish. Great with food.
Daughter- lots on the back of tongue, there might be cherry somewhere in here. (Agree with the cherry)
Son-in-law who doesn’t drink- smells like wine.
Wife- Good wine! Pairs well with the chicken- brings out some spice.
7 year old grandson who did smell the glass: “Disgusting mixture of water, cherry, banana, and blood with mixed up glass. Dried up skin and vegetables plus chicken.”
Take that for what it’s worth…
Many hours later we finished the bottle and the wine was deeper and more developed, nice structure, long finish. Definitely still has lots of life left.
Quality Zin, well made, polished. Thumbs up. Thanks for the rat!
@wnance Did the 7-year old really say that?!
My kids would never come up with something that fun. I usually get “grapes” or “strawberries” or something like that when I ask them what they smell.
@klezman Direct quote- very creative kid and definitely going for a reaction from the crowd, lol. Not sure it will promote the sale of this wine…
@klezman @wnance He’d fit right in with the pros…I think a subscription blog is next
@klezman @wnance
Kids and animals notoriously unreliable to work with. But on this site the cute animals get good ratings. Cute kids, maybe not so much.
@wnance Nice! Give your grandson a few years and he could go for WineDavid’s job!!!
I think this is the first time I have noticed Iowa leading the charge for buying an offer…
“If you like it, if you feel it, you can’t help but move to it“
By strange coincidence this seems like it goes with the bidet toilet seat offer today.
@pmarin LOL!!!
RAT’s pushed me over the edge…in for a Case!!
obstinate-fortunate-tinker
Anyone in the Boston/So. NH area want to share a case?
@netcommsyn I would be game to split the case I just bought in half if you like. Let me know
I miss Wine Guerilla
/giphy elated-spurious-sky
/showme universal-grainy-mole
Just went in for a case