Community Tasting Notes 21

• Dr_Bob Likes this wine: 90 points

  March 15, 2015 - I'd push the drinking date to 2015 or longer, still quite enjoyable at this point in time. Tart gorgeous bouquet, lots of body & acidity still

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• thomaskeil wrote: 90 points

  February 12, 2014 - PnP (no decant necessary). Nearly violet in color. Better impression than my last bottle in 2003. Young plummy fruit. Palate in very good balance. Not complex, but expressive. Definite Cali PN feel and flavor, but not overblown. Surprised this is nearly 11 yrs old.

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• kanjimoti wrote: 91 points

  May 13, 2012 - The 2003 is showing very well, surprisingly youthful actually. This was still a bit forward but beautifully balanced w a Pommard plumpness but not overblown. On the nose there's great depth and a nice interplay between the fruit and oak, neither of which is at all aggressive, not subtle either though. In the mouth it blankets the palate w a full body, silky tannins, and refreshing acid. I had one glass on the night of opening but didn't get to the rest of it until four days later. It did show some oxidation but was still singing after all that time, which amazed me. This still has holding power and will probably develop more complexity with another two years in the bottle if well stored. I'd say drink by 2015. Very nice wine.

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• thomaskeil wrote: 88 points

  November 2, 2011 - PnP. Guess I will be debating myself as I found this bottle/encounter much the same but was more struck by the thick cherry fruit and the etoh that seemed to be poking out. Asian spice and forest floor still bring much interest and the acidity was food-friendly and fruit balancing. Not bad, but not at a 91 this time.

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• thomaskeil wrote: 91 points

  March 22, 2011 - PnP. Ruby, with violet tinge. Great cherry, forest floor, asian spice and earth nose right out of the bottle. Ripe round fruit that does well into an through midpalate. Good acidity and the tannins seem to be a bit softer than I noted in 06. There is some complexity, mainly spices and layered fruit sensation, but this is not a minerally, tense, finesse-driven pinot by any means. Seems to be hitting its stride now and could easily hold for many years.

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Pro Reviews 1

Wine Definition

• Vintage 2003
• Type Red
• Producer Walter Hansel Winery
• Varietal Pinot Noir
• Designation n/a
• Vineyard The North Slope Vineyard
• Country USA
• Region California
• SubRegion Sonoma County
• Appellation Russian River Valley

Community Holdings

• Pending Delivery 2 (2%)
• In Cellars 33 (26%)
• Consumed 91 (72%)

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