This is a dark foreboding monster at the moment yet holds a lot of promise. Burgundian in style, as opposed to the local Russian River style of its neighborhood brethren. That said, I don’t know what explains its high (14.5%) alcohol that def packs the heat. Feels off balance for the moment or better said not totally put together. The fruit is certainly there - blackberry, black cherry, and a strong sense of earthiness and mushroom. Also a hint of saddle leather and barnyard brett. I will be tracking the development of this bottle and have great expectations.
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100% Pinot Noir (field blend of clones 777 and 115) from the Alyce (Srephen's mother) block on the North slope with heavy adobe clay soil and organic practice yielding barely 1 ton per acre. Manual harvest with average 9 passes and sorted in field and on table. De-stemmed and whole berries gravity fed into open top fermenters. Vinified by natural yeast. Aged 12 months in French oak (~50% new) on lees without racking. 14.5% Abv. History: Walter Hansel first planted 257 chardonnay vines in 1978. Son Stephen started on his own since 1996.
A(ccuray)=2: Med ruby/red. Intense, robust varietal. B(alance)=2: Ripe fruit with adequate acid structure. C(omplexity)=2: Dark berries, licorice, smoke, tobacco. D(epth)=2: Savory mouthfeel. Full palate and lingering finish.
Wine Tally Score [2,2,2,2]= 8/10
New World ripeness with Old World charm.
For story-telling label graphics, see: [https://www.instagram.com/p/CssNyV5sBV0/] [https://www.facebook.com/WineTally/] For a video explanation of WineTally (in 8 languages) see: Wine Tally on www.youtube.com.
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Decanted a portion for 1-2 hrs, slow ox’d the rest, both of which worked well to open (1 hr after decant or day 2 slow ox). Deep ruby and purple color. A little dried cranberry, mushroom, tiny bit of funk on the nose. Cranberry, raspberry, overripe blackberry, a little black olive on the palate with about 30 sec finish. Definitely not as much tea leaf as the North Slope pinot. Nice QPR!
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Drunk over two days, this young pinot kept going strong. Dark like a syrah, but light to medium bodied, this walks a great line between delectable dark fruit and minerals and a touch of acidity. Should continue to improve, with well-stored age.
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Another winner from Walter Hansel. Rich, dark fruit with menthol notes. Mushroom notes and deep savory flavors. Over delivers as one of the ongoing values in the Pinot Noir spectrum. Good depth and satisfying from beginning to end.
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Solid and elegant Pinot from Walter Hansel. Dark rich fruit with great body and flavor. Blackberry, dark cherry and excellent mouthfeel. As always the wine outperforms the price point.
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10/4/2023 - El_Dougo wrote: 91 Points
This is a dark foreboding monster at the moment yet holds a lot of promise. Burgundian in style, as opposed to the local Russian River style of its neighborhood brethren. That said, I don’t know what explains its high (14.5%) alcohol that def packs the heat. Feels off balance for the moment or better said not totally put together. The fruit is certainly there - blackberry, black cherry, and a strong sense of earthiness and mushroom. Also a hint of saddle leather and barnyard brett.
I will be tracking the development of this bottle and have great expectations.
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8/27/2023 - libero wrote: 92 Points
A delicious Pinot. Walter Hansel all Pinots are among our favorites , including this cuvee.
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5/17/2023 - WineTally Likes this wine:
100% Pinot Noir (field blend of clones 777 and 115)
from the Alyce (Srephen's mother) block on the North slope with heavy
adobe clay soil and organic practice yielding barely 1 ton per acre.
Manual harvest with average 9 passes and sorted in field and on table.
De-stemmed and whole berries gravity fed into open top fermenters.
Vinified by natural yeast.
Aged 12 months in French oak (~50% new) on lees without racking.
14.5% Abv.
History: Walter Hansel first planted 257 chardonnay vines in 1978.
Son Stephen started on his own since 1996.
A(ccuray)=2: Med ruby/red. Intense, robust varietal.
B(alance)=2: Ripe fruit with adequate acid structure.
C(omplexity)=2: Dark berries, licorice, smoke, tobacco.
D(epth)=2: Savory mouthfeel. Full palate and lingering finish.
Wine Tally Score [2,2,2,2]= 8/10
New World ripeness with Old World charm.
For story-telling label graphics, see:
[https://www.instagram.com/p/CssNyV5sBV0/]
[https://www.facebook.com/WineTally/]
For a video explanation of WineTally (in 8 languages) see:
Wine Tally on www.youtube.com.
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1/22/2023 - Asull2k Likes this wine: 91 Points
Decanted a portion for 1-2 hrs, slow ox’d the rest, both of which worked well to open (1 hr after decant or day 2 slow ox). Deep ruby and purple color. A little dried cranberry, mushroom, tiny bit of funk on the nose. Cranberry, raspberry, overripe blackberry, a little black olive on the palate with about 30 sec finish. Definitely not as much tea leaf as the North Slope pinot. Nice QPR!
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9/11/2022 - kabert Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drunk over two days, this young pinot kept going strong. Dark like a syrah, but light to medium bodied, this walks a great line between delectable dark fruit and minerals and a touch of acidity. Should continue to improve, with well-stored age.
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4/22/2022 - air guitar & pinot noir Likes this wine: 92 Points
Another winner from Walter Hansel. Rich, dark fruit with menthol notes. Mushroom notes and deep savory flavors. Over delivers as one of the ongoing values in the Pinot Noir spectrum. Good depth and satisfying from beginning to end.
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4/2/2022 - air guitar & pinot noir Likes this wine: 92 Points
Solid and elegant Pinot from Walter Hansel. Dark rich fruit with great body and flavor. Blackberry, dark cherry and excellent mouthfeel. As always the wine outperforms the price point.
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