Walter Hansel Pinot Noir Cahill Lane 2018

Walter Hansel Pinot Noir Cahill Lane 2018

100% Pinot Noir (3 French clones: 114, 115, and Rochioli Pommard)
from 3 one-acre blocks on Cahill Lane with Goldridge loam soil and
organic practice yielding a minuscule 2 to 2 tons per acre.
Manual harvest with average 9 passes and sorted in the field and on the table.
De-stemmed and whole berries gravity fed into open-top fermenters.
Fermented by natural yeast. Aged in French oak (60% new).
14.5% Abv. 801 cases. Bottled 1/9/20
History: Walter Hansel first planted 257 chardonnay vines in 1978.
Since 1996: Son Stephen started on his own.

Critical Acclaim

93 Vinous

The Walter Hansel 2018 Pinot Noir Cahill Lane Vineyard is another stellar wine in this lineup. Here, too, I very much like the wine’s energy and nuance. Ripe red/purplish fruit, blood orange and floral notes are wonderfully vivid. Medium in body and finely cut, the Cahill Lane is so enticing. In 2018, the Cahill Lane has an extra kick of citrus-infused acidity that gives cut and a closing burst of energy that is impossible to miss.

93 Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

Medium ruby-purple, the 2018 Pinot Noir Cahill Lane is scented by smoked cranberries, tar, and tobacco with nuances of citrus peel and potpourri. The light-bodied palate is silky, layered, and seriously styled with a gentle grip, great freshness and long finish.