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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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.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment