Estate Vineyards 2023

Although every Walter Hansel Pinot Noir is estate grown, this bottling is designed to represent the property as a whole. The reference blend draws from nearly all vineyard sites and five of the estate's seven Pinot Noir clones, with the balance shifting naturally each vintage.

The estate lies in the southern Russian River Valley, where warm afternoons alternate with fog-cooled evenings and mornings. Slow ripening creates expressive fruit, fresh acidity and the long flavor development central to the house style.

The vineyards are sustainably farmed, with weather stations and soil probes guiding water and spray decisions. Pinot Noir crops are thinned to approximately 10-15 clusters per vine, prioritizing concentration and even ripening.

The grapes are destemmed and sorted, then cold soaked as whole berries in open-top fermenters for at least five days. After 13-16 days of fermentation and regular punch-downs, the wine moves to François Frères barrels for malolactic fermentation and twelve months of aging, followed by at least one year in bottle.

Spicy cedar incense, ripe cherries, crushed wildflowers and savory nuance. The palate is energetic and medium-bodied, with vibrant red fruit, fine-grained tannins and lingering spice. Serve at 14-16°C with salmon, roast chicken, pork or mushroom dishes.