TN: 1976 Hanzell Pinot Noir Sonoma Valley

WINE TALK
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What has become our little Top Chef group gathered at my place last night. Tried to get the guys to rescue some of their manhood by watching the World Series, but they weren’t having it

Brad K was in attendance, as were Rowdy and Broderick.
Bowden is clearly too big time for us, he’s still galavanting around Burgundy.

We opened a bunch of bottles, more notes later. The 1976 Hanzell was stunning, really, for what it is.

1976 Hanzell Pinot Noir - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
Amazingly, deep and robust red in the decanter. Aromas of dusty cherry and prune emerge. In the glass, there is a dirty sock-funk that takes some coaxing to blow off. First taste, wow…is this a '76? A Deep core of sweet cherry fruit is bordered by dusty, tannic structure that really clamps down on the backside. Real power still here. There is a beautiful weight to the palate, amazing for a 33 year old CA pinot. The wine unfolded in the decanter and rounded out over the course of the night. Still drinking well two hours on…Profound in its own way.

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Indeed.
Interesting for the age factor, but it wasn’t just a novelty…it actually kicked ass!
[winner.gif]

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still well made if you ask me. just needs 10+ years sideways to grow and mature. my 2007 bottles will make my 60th and 70th special.

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I last had this wine on about its twentieth birthday. It is a very special bottle of wine. Glad it’s still going so strong.

Willing to bet this wine was not made with super/over ripe grapes allowed to hang until late October /early November. Also willing to bet it was not fermented in and made in 100% new oak.

If today’s KB/Loring crowd opened this wine when young, they would have probably given the wine a low 80s (if that) score. Different times, different wines. Glad a few of these jewels still exist.

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Gordon - i think Hanzell picked fruti this year the 1st week or two of Sept.

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Thanks Glen; Made my point.

Peter Cargasacchi had a very interesting blog on WS about this year’s harvest. Everybody had all their wine picked in his vineyard, except Loring. Loring was waiting and waiting until the grapes got “ripe enough”. We can all guess how ripe that ripe was he’s after. Think the difference between picking grapes in early Sep and late Oct will make a difference in the wines produced?

In Loring’s defense, he never claims his wines will last longer than 3 years. He makes his style of wine and it is what it is, with many supporters. I find it funny that he cellars little, if any, of his own wine.

He’ll just never make a wine that people will be sitting around 30 years from now admiring like the threaders here are doing the Hanzell

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Do you have a link or a URL for that?

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Thanks for some additional background, Glenn and Gordon.
Agree with you both.
A fine experience with that bottle last night.
Special.

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Nathan;

It was a blog on the WS site. Probably need a subscription to WS.online to see the blogs.

Peter did several very good blogs on the 09 harvest, also a lady form Montalcino.

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Dennis, we tasted a '75 Mondavi Pinot at the last Napa BerserkerFest. Flavor profile was similar.

I’m guessing both of these wines would have been absolutely smashing at about 25 years of age.

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i have to state Hanzell Estate Chard, now $70/btl via their Ambassador’s Club, is my favorite domestic white that i can regularly afford without open weeping. needs sideways time too though if you want it shine.