Ratings:
94
Antonio Galloni - Vinous
"The 2014 Pinot Noir Cahill Lane Vineyard is deep, pliant and explosive. The 2014 is defined by its striking aromatics, lovely inner perfume and sheer concentration. Violets, lavender, mint, spice and plum meld into the juicy, inviting finish. Today, the 2014 Cahill Lane is dazzling. It's a simple as that. "
93+ Robert Parker - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
"The 2014 Pinot Noir Cahill Lane, from Dijon clones 115 and 114, is from the highest elevation site on the vineyard. It tends to be one of the more reserved Pinot Noirs, hence its later release. This wine exhibits lovely pomegranate, black cherry and black raspberry fruit, a deep, pure medium to full-bodied mouthfeel, light tannin and good acidity. This is a beautiful, refreshing and complex Pinot Noir. Drink 2017-2030. All of these Pinot Noirs are bottled unfined and unfiltered just like the Chardonnays."
Product Description:
"A blend of 3 clones, clone 114, clone 115, and the Rochioli Pommard clone, are grown each on its own one acre site. The vines were planted in 1989 and are in their peak, quality wise. The Rochioli pommard and the clone 115 contribute red berry and cherry flavors and the clone 114 adds a dimension of herbal flavors giving Cahill Lane an Old world character." -Winery
"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, cuvée-to-cuvée, but none of the wine is aged on entirely new oak. One- and two-year-old barrels are always employed." -Importer
Our biggest wine deals. Available by text! Join Winetext.com today!
