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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 91.8 pts. and median of 92 pts. in 49 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by Vinnut on 7/12/2016 & rated 92 points: Second notes on this wine. Medium-dark red garnet in color. Forward, fragrant & attractive nose of rich, ripe red fruits aromas of dark cherries, blueberries & plums with overtones of spices notes of cloves & cinnamon, earthy/dusty, floral notes, cola, herbs, minerals & a touch of vanilla in the background. Medium bodied with a very good concentration of well balanced & smooth textured, plush & rich ripe red fruit flavors of sweet cherries, strawberries & blueberries with spice notes of cloves and cinnamon, cola, cocoa, some earthiness, minerals & a bit of vanilla. Long lingering & smooth finish. Drinks quite well at present & while it may be close or at its peak of development, it has the fruit & structure to hold for several more years. (2573 views) | | | Tasted by Wayne Richmon on 9/15/2015 & rated 93 points: This wine has evolved and may be better now than 2 years ago. Seems a touch bigger with ripe cherries jumping out of the glass. (3471 views) | | | Tasted by sastewart on 1/22/2015 & rated 91 points: Drank alongside a Delinger. The Hansel was a much bigger wine while the Delinger had great purity of fruit. Both were drinking well. Solid medium body wine with soft tannins. Black cherry, with a pretty spices and touch of cola. 91 points (3139 views) | | | Tasted by rcurlee on 11/12/2014 & rated 91 points: Still a fantastic value wine, but it may be loosing a bit of it's pizazz as it ages. I would go as far to say that it's over the hill. Certainly it benefited from its youth when consumed younger. The fruit and earthy flavors blend well and the finish is pleasant but doesn't have the structure to linger as long as I hope. But for the price, I'm being way overly picky. I still lick my lips and think, yum! (3367 views) | | | Tasted by kgott2 on 9/23/2014 & rated 91 points: Great balance and beautiful bright fruit. Full throughout and nice finish. Glad I held it this long, and that I drank it now. (3412 views) | | | Tasted by Vinnut on 1/3/2014 & rated 92 points: Medium to medium-dark red garnet in color. Fragrant, attractive & assertive nose of lovely, rich, ripe red fruits aromas of cherries, raspberries & plums with lots of spice overtones of cloves and cinnamon, dusty, floral notes, cola, earthy and a touch of vanilla in the background. Medium bodied with a very good concentration of well balanced, elegant, seamless, plush & rich ripe red fruit flavors of sweet cherries, strawberries & tart cranberries with spice notes of cloves and cinnamon, cola, cocoa, some earthiness and a bit of creamy vanilla. Long lingering & smooth finish. Drinks quite well at present, but this delicious, elegant fruit focused Pinot should develop further with additional aging. (1924 views) | | | Tasted by Edclr on 5/25/2013 & rated 93 points: Ditto last note..wish I could have saved a couple bottles to see how it ages long term, but too good now to run the risk. Only knock is a bit of green steaminess, but it blows off after an hour or so. (1784 views) | | | Tasted by Wayne Richmon on 4/23/2013 & rated 93 points: Same notes as previous comment. Loved by all. (1706 views) | | | Tasted by Wayne Richmon on 3/31/2013 & rated 93 points: Delicious right from the start. Ripe cherry on the nose, smooth and easy to drink, and a fantastic long finish. Not sure how many years ahead it will drink like this but it is sure great now. (1629 views) | | | Tasted by rcurlee on 11/9/2012 & rated 92 points: Drinking wonderfully, fresh, and youthful. I imagine it still has many years ahead of it. (1720 views) | | | Tasted by cgrimes on 4/19/2012 & rated 92 points: Dark ruby color. Nose of dark cherries, strawberry, hint of spice and band aid. Similar on the palate. Much less heat. Smooth tannins. Nice balance. This has really improved since last tasting. Drinking very well now. (2086 views) | | | Tasted by Edclr on 3/20/2012 & rated 93 points: Ditto...not fading at all. Long life ahead of it. (1485 views) | | | Tasted by wpd on 2/6/2012 & rated 92 points: Last bottle of this excellent wine. Same as previous notes, but aging has even improved this wine. (1715 views) | | | Tasted by rocknroller on 4/10/2011 & rated 92 points: Minneapolis Wine Club Does Domestic Pinots for the Masters (Becky's House): Medium dark red color. This did not really impress out of the gate. There was a little alcohol on the nose and palate. The nose showed really ripe dark red fruits, later a very nice forest floor quality emerged with some spice. The palate started off with ripe fruit. This settled down nicely after a good 30-45 mintes and showed the acidity, earth tones and fruit in a much more balanced fashion. Very nice at that point elevating the score from 90 to a 92. (2289 views) | | | Tasted by Edclr on 12/7/2010 & rated 93 points: My kind of pinot. Low alcohol, nice acidity, nose jumps out of the glass. Very nice finish. This is what American Pinot should be about. (1861 views) | | | Tasted by rherman on 4/14/2010 & rated 92 points: as good as always. (2479 views) | | | Tasted by tanglenet on 8/5/2009: Opened not decanted. Dry, dusty, raspberry fruit on the nose. Plush, round red fruit with earth (dirt?), dry spices, ending with a drying citrus / red licorice finish. Good. (2684 views) | | | Tasted by rherman on 4/5/2009 & rated 92 points: Love this wine!!! Cranberry, cola, red berry. Great structure/acid/length and, for my palate, more food freindly from Cali.
Kudos. Will enjoy my others, if I can keep my hands off of them, over the next 4 years. (2974 views) | | | Tasted by tanglenet on 1/30/2009: Opened not decanted. Some clarity at the edge of the glass; pretty garnet in color. On the nose: strong notes of orange and tangerine rind with a touch of pineapple. On palate: tart attack of bright red fruit with strawberry, raspberry, citrus, some sweet dried date and dry tobacco; ends with a sweet and sour spicy finish with some peppery heat. Good to Very Good. (2806 views) | | | Tasted by gutt22 on 1/5/2009: 14.4% alcohol. Bright cherry color. Marvelous bouquet of black cherry, apple skin, and baking spice. In the mouth, so tremendously juicy. The fruit in Walter Hansel Pinots is just so juicy. I love it. Black cherry to the max. Plenty of baking spice and acidity. Long finish. Just an eminently drinkable wine. A- (2800 views) | | | Tasted by DenisLee on 12/15/2008: Popped and poured. This time it felt like a fruit bomb going off in my mouth. It was just too much. I saved a little for day two, and it was better. Still a bit jammy though. (2896 views) | | | Tasted by mreinitz on 10/29/2008 & rated 91 points: Very nice, especially for the price. Black cherry dominates the palate. Earthy, with a very nice mushroom note on the finish. (2869 views) | | | Tasted by cadamson on 8/27/2008 & rated 89 points: Decent wine. Violet/ruby color, nose of dark fruit with some petrol. Reasonable mouthfeel and finish. Does not stand out, sort of a 'normal' albeit well done Northern Cal Pinot. (3025 views) | | | Tasted by cgrimes on 8/1/2008 & rated 89 points: Ruby color. Fruity nose. Palate of black cherry, sweet strawberry, some spice, heat. Soft tannins. A delicious mouthful of fruit but lacking some complexity. For a CA Pinot, though, this is not overextracted. (2958 views) | | | Tasted by vancouvermatt on 7/21/2008 & rated 91 points: One of my favourite California producers.
Nose of forest floor, with cedary oak and dark fruit on the palate. Good structure. Reminds me of the "hartford land's edge" pinot noir. (3113 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| Walter Hansel Winery Producer websitePinot Noir Varietal character (Appellation America) | Varietal article (Wikipedia)
Pinot Noir is the Noble red grape of Burgundy, capable of ripening in a cooler climate, which Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot will not reliably do. It is unpredictable and difficult both to grow and to vinify, but results in some of the finest reds in the world. It is believed to have been selected from wild vines two thousand years ago. It is also used in the production of champagne. In fact, more Pinot Noir goes into Champagne than is used in all of the Cote d'Or! It is also grown in Alsace, Jura, Germany, the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Romania, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Serbia, Italy, and so forth, with varying degrees of success.
Pinot Noir is one of the world's most prestigious grapes. It is very difficult to grow and thrives well in France, especially in Champagne and Burgundy. Pinot Noir thrives less in hot areas, is picky on soil, and deserves some oak storage.
Pinot Noir, or Blauburgunder / Spätburgunder in German, is a blue grapevine - and, as the German name suggests, the grape comes originally from Burgundy in France.
The grape, which thrives in calcareous soils, is used primarily for the production of red wine, and it is widely regarded as producing some of the best wines in the world. The wine style is often medium-bodied with high fruit acidity and soft tannins. It can be quite peculiar in fragrance and taste, and not least in structure - which may be why it is referred to as "The Grapes Ballerina".
Pinot Noir is also an important ingredient in sparkling wines, not least in champagne since it is fruity, has good acidity and contains relatively little tannins.
The grape is considered quite demanding to grow. The class itself consists of tightly packed grapes, which makes it more sensitive to rot and other diseases.
Pinot Noir changes quite easily and is genetically unstable. It buds and matures early which results in it often being well ripened. Climate is important for this type of grape. It likes best in cool climates - in warm climates the wines can be relaxed and slightly pickled.
In cooler climates, the wine can get a hint of cabbage and wet leaves, while in slightly warmer regions we often find notes of red berries (cherries, strawberries, raspberries, currants), roses and slightly green notes when the wine is young. With age, more complex aromas of forest floor, fungi and meat emerge.
In Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Hungary, it often produces light wines with less character. However, it has produced very good results in California, Oregon and New Zealand.
With its soft tannins and delicate aroma, it is excellent for white fish, chicken and light meat. For the stored wines you can serve small game. Classic duck breast is a matter of course, a Boeuf Burgundy and Pinot Noir are pure happiness.
Pinot Noir loses quality by over-harvesting.
Pinot Noir is prone to diseases, especially rot and mildew. Viruses cause major problems especially in Burgundy.
Pinot Noir are large round grapes with thin skins. Relatively high in alcohol content. Medium rich tannins and good with acid.
As a young person, Pinot Noir has a distinctly fruity character such as raspberries, cherries and strawberries.
A mature Pinot Noir, the taste is different. Cherry goes into plum and prune flavors. It smells of rotten leaves, coffee, moist forest floor and animal wine. This must be experienced.
In warm climates you find boiled plum, some rustic, little acid.
If the grapes are over-grown, the wine will be thin, with little color and flavor.USAAmerican wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.California2021 vintage: "Unlike almost all other areas of the state, the Russian River Valley had higher than normal crops in 2021, which has made for a wine of greater generosity and fruit forwardness than some of its stablemates." - Morgan Twain-Peterson Sonoma CountyMendocino CountyRussian River Valley Russian River Valley Winegrowers Association | Wikipedia |
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