Winemaker Notes
Estate grown, produced from 100% Dijon clone 777, located at the southern tip and highest elevation of Walter Hansel's vineyards.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The 2023 Pinot Noir The South Slope Vineyard pours a ruby red color and is lush with aromas of graphite, violets, cherry liqueur, and cedar. The palate is refined and refreshing, with a mid-weight feel, and it has finely coiled tannins, bright acidity, and a good deal of length through a wonderful and delicately salty finish. For my taste, it has a slight edge over the rest from this tasting. Drink 2025-2037.
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Vinous
The 2023 Pinot Noir The South Slope Vineyard is bold, effusive and super-expressive. Strong floral inflections and vibrant fruit give the South Slope tons of sheer appeal. All the elements are so well balanced. Red-toned fruit, crushed autumn leaves and earthy/savory notes build nicely with a bit of time in the glass.
Barrel Sample: 90-92
While the Russian River Valley is a large appellation with multiple climate zones and soil types, it is best known for cool-climate varieties, with Pinot Noir as the most celebrated. The grapes benefit from a reliable late afternoon flow of Pacific Ocean fog through the Petaluma Gap and along the Russian River Valley that ensures slow and steady ripening and the preservation of grape acidity. Today many of California’s most highly regarded Pinot Noir vineyards are in the Russian River Valley, along with its sub-appellation, Green Valley.
Historically Russian River Valley Pinot Noirs had bright red fruit and delicate earthy, mineral notes. But changes in viticultural and winemaking practices have led to stylistic changes in some of the region’s wines. Adjustments to canopy management, among other techniques, have resulted in riper fruit and bolder wines as well. These show flavors of black cherry, blackberry, cola, spice and darker, loamy earth tones, accenting traditional Pinot Noir notes of strawberry, raspberry and light cherry.