Product Description:

This 2-pack includes 1 bottle of 2010 - Walter Hansel Pinot Noir Cahill Lane, and 1 bottle of 2009 - Olson Ogden Pinot Noir Manchester Ridge.

2010 - Walter Hansel Pinot Noir Cahill Lane:
"Bright ruby. Sexy aromas and flavors of red and dark berry preserves, potpourri and star anise, with a subtle touch of blood orange adding vivacity. Juicy, penetrating and concentrated, with strong finishing power and lingering florality. Pretty suave stuff and already delicious." (05/12) - 92 Pts Josh Raynolds - International Wine Cellar

"Another of the deeper, richer wines in the range, the 2010 Pinot Noir Cahill Lane places more emphasis on power than elegance. There is plenty of depth in the glass, but at the same time, I find the aromas and flavors less well-defined than in the very best Hansel wines. The Russian River richness dominates over elegance. Hints of tar, smoke and game emerge on the powerful, virile finish. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2018."

"I was quite taken with the wines I tasted with proprietor Stephen Hansel earlier this year. In particular, the 2010 Chardonnays have turned out far better than I had expected. A year prior, the wines were heavy and clunky. Today, they are complete and beautifully balanced to a degree that is surprising. According to Hansel, in 2010 the Pinots were less affected by the heat spikes that year than the Chardonnays, echoing a common refrain among growers. As was the case throughout California, 2011 was an exceptionally long and cold growing season. Hansel lost the fruit for the Meadows bottling, a casualty of the October rains. At the risk of sounding repetitive, it is impossible not to realize how exceedingly fairly priced these wines are in today’s market. Stylistically, the Hansel Chardonnays show the richness from stirring of the lees and the use of 40-60% new oak. The Pinots are made from fully destemmed fruit and also tend towards the bolder side of things. Hansel reported that sugars were about a degree lower in 2011, especially for the Chardonnays. Consequently, he gave the Chardonnays a little less new oak than normal, but at the same time increased lees stirring to give the wines a bit more body. Ripeness of the Pinots was more consistent across the two vintages." (04/13) - 91 Pts Antonio Galloni - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Producer:
"Walter Hansel was a lifelong wine enthusiast who had the vision to plant his estate's original 250 vines in 1978. Today, Stephen, Walter's son, has taken up where his father left off, pursuing his vision of producing world-class Burgundian-styled Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, all from the Russian River Valley."

"Steve Hansel's friend, famed winemaker Tom Rochioli, helped him in the early stages of his wine education by inviting him to work a couple of harvests at the Rochioli vineyards. Steve performed his first solo attempt in 1996 out of his garage."

"At Walter Hansel Winery, the emphasis is on low yields (a miniscule range from 1.5 to 2.7 tons/acre) for greater complexity. Since all their grapes are grown on their own property, they can exercise strict control in the vineyards, which are planted with 5 Pinot and 5 Chardonnay clones. Each clone was chosen for its specific acid and flavor variations."

"All of Steve's fruit is hand-harvested, and it is re-examined again at the winery. Hansel makes an average of 9 total passes through each vineyard. Each pass is time consuming and expensive but Stephen feels the vine rewards him with more concentrated flavors."

"The winery uses only natural yeast during fermentation. Fining and filtration are minimal. The Pinots are held on the lees without racking for 12 months. The Chardonnays are whole cluster fermented and gently pressed to extract the juice. The cooperage varies from year-to-year, cuvee-to-cuvee, but none of the wine is aged on entirely new oak. One- and two-year-old barrels are always employed." - Distributor

2009 - Olson Ogden Pinot Noir Manchester Ridge:
"Bright red. Sexy, floral-accented aromas of redcurrant, raspberry and cherry, with rooty sassafras and allspice nuances adding complexity. Juicy, penetrating red fruit flavors take a deeper turn with air, picking up notes of star anise and violet. Clings impressively on the energetic finish, which features notes of candied flowers and bitter cherry." (05/12) - 92 Pts Josh Raynolds - International Wine Cellar

"This tremendous Mendocino wine is true to its California heritage, tasting of red cherry and spice, with a velvet-like texture and soft tannins. It's ready to drink now, but cellaring will further tame it." Cellar Selection (08/12) - 92 Pts Wine Enthusiast

"Olson Ogden hits the mark once again with this deep and expressive youngster, and the wine's combination of energy, precise fruit and deft oak make it deserving of serious attention. It is moderately full-bodied and slightly supple in feel with just the right measure of acidity for fine balance, and it is as long and lively at the finish. It is so well-crafted that it might tempt drinking now, but we recommend at least a few years of patience so it can reach its best." (06/12) - 92 Pts Connoisseurs Guide to Wine

Wine:
"More new world than old world in style, this is a California pinot lover's delight from a very special vineyard in Mendocino. Fruit forward in character with notes of red cherry and raspberry with a touch of spice and earth to compliment. The wine is medium bodied on the palate with a velvety texture ready to enjoy upon release. But the components are there to cellar this wine to enjoy seven to 10 years from release." - Tim Olson, Winemaker

Vineyard:
"The Manchester Ridge Vineyard is one of the rising stars in Mendocino. Located just 3 miles from the Pacific Ocean in the Mendocino Ridge AVA 2000 feet above Anderson Valley, it enjoys sunshine while vineyards below are often under fog or clouds. Ocean breezes moderate temperatures, providing plenty of warmth during the day while the nighttime temperatures cool down to retain natural acidity. This vineyard is farmed sustainably and yields are low, in the 2.0 to 2.5 TPA range. The fruit coming from this vineyard gives red fruits and wonderful aromatics." - Winery

Producer:
"Olson Ogden Wines is a small, artisan wine company located in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County. We specialize in small production, handcrafted wines. Our focus is on Pinot Noir and Rhone varietals, with an emphasis on vineyard designated Syrah's. We seek out passionate growers with special vineyards."

"Our primary goal is to produce balanced complex and tasty wines that express the terroir and vintage from which they come. Olson Ogden wines are made with food in mind as we feel that wine is an integral part of a good meal. Our winemaking style is rooted in traditional methods but is balanced by trial and error and creative innovation. Our wines are usually bottled unfined and unfiltered and will likely contain a natural sediment during their evolution. This results in an authentic and honest wine that is rich and complex and a pleasure to drink." - Winery