Walter Hansel Winery Pinot Noir The Estate Vineyard 2018

Stephen Hansel isn’t trying to take over the world; he’s just trying to make the best possible expression of his Russian River estate, and frankly, he’s nailing it. The 2018 Estate Vineyard Pinot is a reminder of why we fell in love with Sonoma Pinot in the first place—before things got too big, too oaky, or too expensive.

This isn’t your typical fruit bomb California Pinot. Thanks to a cool growing season and Stephen’s light touch (plus a little mentorship from his neighbor, Tom Rochioli), the 2018 is all about finesse and transparency.

On the palate, it’s mid-weight and energetic. There’s a beautiful tension here—satiny texture meets a streak of blood orange acidity and a touch of savory graphite. It’s got that “just-picked” freshness that makes you want to reach for the bottle again before you’ve even finished your first glass.