Thomas Epps

8.9

Good flavor but somewhat restrained, especially on the finish. Might see if it evolves a bit with a couple hours in open bottle - it shows hints…. — 18 days ago

with Jeannie

Turd Ferguson

9.1

There’s a bitter savoriness to this that makes it a really excellent food wine. Better on day two. — 5 months ago

Turd Ferguson

9.2

Melon/pear. Restraint. Nice weight. Enough acid. Hint of caramel on the finish. Very tasty. — 7 months ago

Bob Boyle

9.0

Mineral grapefruit rind in the nose, body has nice texture holding grapefruit and lemongrass to a medium long finish — 8 months ago

Barb

9.3

2012 tasting great. Solid dark fruits, nice balance. — 5 years ago

Jim Maynard

9.4

2012 vintage. Really good; developed some additional notes beyond the big youth. Someone noted they smelled it 6 feet away. Indeed fragrant. — 6 years ago

Arden Barnett

9.6

My wine of the night. Wild blackberries strawberry jam, Weird but the scent of Abita Purple Haze beer in the nose. Bing Cherries, gooseberries ,fresh cracked pepper, balsamic macerated blackberries. The structure of this wine is absolutely unbelievable. Medium plus acidity and tannins. One of those wines that gives you chills after every sip. Unbelievable lineup. — 7 years ago

Akshay Venkitasubramanian

9.4

Amazing Pinot - not high on acidity or fruitiness- a perfect medium red wine with minerality — 3 months ago

Lisa McKinnon

9.4

Ready to drink; halfway between oaky and steel; no butter. Damn near perfect with both salmon and lamb. — 4 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Blend from Estate vineyards, pale lemon color with aromas of white fruits, citrus, vanilla and flinty notes. On the palate flavors of apple, peach, pear and floral citrus, vanilla, oak, well balanced with lively acidity. Long finish ending with nutty toasty biscuit spice, mineral and citrus notes. Will age a bit. — 6 months ago

Raul Puga

9.2

I love Zin with some age on it. Delicious and food friendly — 3 years ago

Shay A

9.3

WNH virtual tasting with Gary Farrell wines. 2015 Ritchie chard, 2014 Fort Ross Pinot and 2015 Rochioli Pinot were the library choices.

I’m between a 93 and 94 here. This caught me totally by surprise. Flexing an ABV of 13.7, it has so much balanced richness and never comes across as lean. In fact, with the whole cluster usage here, it’s not green/stemmy. Gorgeous translucent purple in the glass with big aromatics of juniper, sage, high toned red and black berries, and cedar. Nimble on the palate with some herbal notes, and a really pretty red/black fruit sweetness (like really ripe rhubarb mixed with blackberries). Has both nice acidity and some tannic bite. I’d argue this was possibly even better in day two. Beautiful wine. — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Tonight’s sipper is really beautiful. I found the 06 Walter Hansel Cahill after pairing & pouring their 08 a few weeks ago at Hedy’s Plate & Bottle dinner here at the house.

The 08 was really good but, this is even better. Much brighter, not as dark. A wine to pair or enjoy on its own. While the 08 shined better with food.

On the nose; bright, ripe cherries, raspberries, poached strawberries, softened blackberries, blue floral fruits, hint of rhubarb with a touch of brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, clove, touch of nutmeg, medium dark spice, wood shavings, limestone, dry clay mixed with dry, powdery top soil, just a whiff of dry herbs, fresh red flowers & roses.

The palate is medium full and nicely resolved. It’s just a shade the other side of its top peak. Beautiful texture and mouthfeel. The wine is completely seamless wire to wire. Bright, ripe cherries, raspberries, poached strawberries, blackberries reduced, blue floral fruits, hint of rhubarb & pomegranate extract. Slightly burnt brown sugar, red vines, cherry cola, vanilla, cinnamon, clove, touch of nutmeg, medium dark spice, wood shavings, dry stems, limestone, dry clay mixed with dry, powdery top soil, just a whiff of dry herbs, fresh red flowers & roses. The acidity rains on the palate. The structure, length, tension and balance are in perfect harmony. The long, elegant, well balanced finish is beautiful and lasts minutes.

Photos of; Walter Hansel winery restaurant, Pinot freshly harvested and headed to the WH winery, Stephen Hansel in the vineyard and one of beautiful Sonoma vineyards.

One producer note, Stephen was mentored by Tom Rochioli, who helped him in the early years of his winemaking, which began out of a garage! — 8 years ago

DAL 9000

9.1

Mild and minimal sweet. Lemon and a hint of green apples. A hint of tartness on the finish. Perfect summer deck wine. — 3 months ago

Marc Melser

9.2

We had a vertical tasting of 2018 and 2020 Little Hill Single Vineyard PN. Both have similar bouquets and palates. Black cherry and minerality. 2020 is a little more floral. 2018 has a more darker tone; and that is good. Both have nice mouthfeels with smoothed out tannins. 2018 is a little more velvety. Both very good. It seems these PN need more time in the bottle — 4 months ago

Turd Ferguson

9.2

Needs an hour of air then it’s lean and clean. 13.3%. Pear, apple , citrus, some herbs. No wonky oak or butter. Very nice. Would never guess RRV. Pair with wild mushrooms and polenta. — 7 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

From Westside Farms and Rochioli Allen Vineyard sites, medium lemon color, aromas of stone and citrus fruits with floral and nutty notes. On the palate flavors of peach, apricot and pears with honeysuckle, smooth with a nutty creamy texture, lively acidity. Medium+ finish ending with fruit toasty notes and savory citrus mineral character. Nice! — 3 years ago

Jim Maynard

9.6

2013 vintage in January 2021. Just wow, at least for my taste. Really well balanced with good body, some tropical fruit and fully integrated oak. Every sip says “I want another”. So satisfying. Wish I had 10 more. Plenty of backbone for 2 more years. Won’t get better but will hold if you are lucky enough to have it. — 5 years ago

Scott Melvin

9.5

Ethereal; this is why great Pinot is in a class by itself. — 6 years ago

John Landis

9.5

Gorgeous color and aromas of black cherry and blackberries. Entry is rich and smooth with lingering aftertaste. Extremely enjoyable wine which unfortunately is no longer available from this vineyard plot. — 8 years ago