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Walter Hansel Winery Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2018
Walter Hansel's Estate Pinot Noir is a beautiful, hand-crafted wine from one of our favorite boutique producers down the road from Kistler. Only made 300 cases produced. Limited. 94 Points Robert Parker: "The 2018 Pinot Noir Estate, aged in 60% new François Frères barrels, has a medium ruby color and aromas of cured meats, red and black cherries, graphite, dried earth and tobacco leaves. The medium-bodied, satiny palate explodes with concentrated earth- and spice-laced fruits, gently grainy, super fresh and finishing very long and uplifted. 861 cases produced... ...Some of the best values in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir emerge from Stephen Hansel’s winery in the Russian River Valley. He also has the wonderful Walter Hansel Wine & Bistro on Guerneville Road in Santa Rosa. 92 Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2018 Pinot Noir The Estate Vineyard bright, floral and super-expressive. Rose petal, lavender, red/purplish berry fruit and spice open up in a mid-weight, nuanced Pinot loaded with personality. The Estate has so much character. Readers will find an understated, beautifully restrained Russian River Pinot. Floral notes reaper on the finish, adding lift. This is such a pretty wine."
Ratings on Delectable
Somm David T 
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
I have consistently said, if this is not the best, it’s one of the very best Ca Pinot producers for the money. If my memory is still good, I think this was $38ish. This 18 is the first look of six. It is drinking nicely but will still ascend for another five yrs. When that occurs, add a point, maybe two. The nose shows a dark core of blackberries, spiced plum, strawberries, cherries and pomegranate. Cinnamon, clove, light nutmeg, vanillin, sweet, forest floor with dry leaves, dry & moist herbaceous notes, tree sap with some bark, withering & slightly candied; dark, red flowers, red & pink roses wrapped in violets. The body is round, lush and the experience is almost Burgundian. Ripe; dark cherries, blackberries, strawberries, plum and hovering blueberries. Dark spice with expansive, circular mouth heat, tree sap, eucalyptus, moist & dry herbs, moist, volcanic laced clay, limestone chalkiness, dry crushed rocks, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, mid berry cola/licorice, some char of grilled meats, tobacco, leather, oak shavings, slightly candied & floral; dark, red flowers, red & pink roses wrapped in violets, grand, round acidity and a finish that is well balanced/structured, good tension & length with a round elegant finish that lasts nearly two-minutes.
I have consistently said, if this is not the best, it’s one of the very best Ca Pinot producers for the money. If my memory is still good, I think this was $38ish. This 18 is the first look of six. It is drinking nicely but will still ascend for another five yrs. When that occurs, add a point, maybe two. The nose shows a dark core of blackberries, spiced plum, strawberries, cherries and pomegranate. Cinnamon, clove, light nutmeg, vanillin, sweet, forest floor with dry leaves, dry & moist herbaceous notes, tree sap with some bark, withering & slightly candied; dark, red flowers, red & pink roses wrapped in violets. The body is round, lush and the experience is almost Burgundian. Ripe; dark cherries, blackberries, strawberries, plum and hovering blueberries. Dark spice with expansive, circular mouth heat, tree sap, eucalyptus, moist & dry herbs, moist, volcanic laced clay, limestone chalkiness, dry crushed rocks, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanilla, mid berry cola/licorice, some char of grilled meats, tobacco, leather, oak shavings, slightly candied & floral; dark, red flowers, red & pink roses wrapped in violets, grand, round acidity and a finish that is well balanced/structured, good tension & length with a round elegant finish that lasts nearly two-minutes.
9.3
Joe Lyons
Good fruit, good earth tones, some mushrooms and forest floor hints… good acidity!
Good fruit, good earth tones, some mushrooms and forest floor hints… good acidity!
9.0
See all reviews and ratings on Delectable WARNING: DRINKING DISTILLED SPIRITS, BEER, COOLERS, WINE AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY INCREASE CANCER RISK, AND, DURING PREGNANCY, CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS.