94pts Vinous

The 2021 Pinot Noir Cahill Lane Vineyard is a nuanced, sensual wine. Bright red/purplish fruit, blood orange, spice, mint and hard candy infuse the 2021 with lovely depth. This mid-weight, pliant Pinot is a real charmer. Bright acids and sweet floral accents are wonderful complements to a core of Russian River fruit.

92pts Jeb Dunnuck

Pouring a rich magenta color, the 2021 Pinot Noir Cahill Lane Vineyard offers more clarity, with aromas of raspberry liqueur, toasted cedar, and spiced orange peel. Medium to full-bodied, it reveals fine tannins, a silky mouthfeel, and a fresh lift of acidity, with a lingering smoky perfume on the finish. This is an attractive and elegant wine from Walter Hansel.

Winemaker Notes

Produced from a blend of three clones. This wine is dark purple with notes of bing cherries and red currants. The oak is present but integrated.

Winery Notes

My father, Walter, loved to grow everything from kiwi to oriental pears and more. In the 1970's he enlisted my help to plant 257 chardonnay vines. Throughout the 1980's our entire family would harvest the half acre of grapes and my father and I would make the wine; filling two barrels, which equaled 50 cases of wine. Initially these wines were hard to drink, but with the help of my friend, Tom Rochioli, I developed a passion to understand everything about the vineyards and the process of making wine. This passion influenced my quest for growing World-class wines. Since our first commercial vintage in 1996, I have learned with every harvest that you must listen to vine; react to Mother Nature and ALWAYS compromise quantity for quality.