TN: 2004 Walter Hansel Winery Pinot Noir The North Slope Vineyard

WINE TALK
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2004 Walter Hansel Winery Pinot Noir The North Slope Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (9/21/2012)
This wine has never disappointed me and remains one of my top three favorite pinots ever. Deep dark nose of blackberry liqueur, caramel and spices. The palate is sweet and lively with the most amazing tangerine notes surrounding the dark fruits. Great acid, great mouthfeel and soft tannins. Delicious but I’ll be drinking my two remaining bottles soon. After a few hours it looses something.

Posted from CellarTracker

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Interestingly, we had the 07 in a lineup for a blind pinot dinner just last week. It was a dog. Universally panned by everyone at the table. Out of 10 tasters, 6 put it as Dog of the Night, and 9 put it in their bottom 3. Perhaps drinking it too young? Decanted for 90 mins. Based on RP review, we expected a lot more.

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Two things…the 06 07 and 08 are not in the same universe as the 04. Secondly the 04 is an enormous wine so if you guys are burg lovers it’d get panned too. If you enjoy biguns, this, the 05 KB kanzler, and the 05 seasmoke southing are/were it for me.

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We had the 05 KB Kanzler in the lineup. It finished top 3. #1 was the 2007 Aubert UV followed by 06 Sea Smoke Ten. The KB tied with the 06 Kistler Natalie for #3.

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Yeah, then you guys would have agreed the 04 is crazy good. Never had another WH like it.

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I’ve never had any Hansel, but for some reason I thought these were made in the “lighter” more Burgundian style, no?

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It’s certainly not lighter but I rememeber it having more forest floor/earthy/complex flavors than many new world pinots. I liked the 04 a lot.

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I’ve got some '09 Cahil Lane coming when it cools off, hope I like 'em.

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My Public Tasting Notes (92 pts. in 1 note)
4/20/2007 rated 92 points: I like candy. (1350 views)

Back when I drank this sort of stuff, lol…