At Walter Hansel Winery, the emphasis is on low yields (a miniscule range from 1.5 to 2.7 tons/acre) for greater complexity. Since all their grapes are grown on their own property, they can exercise strict control in the vineyards, which are planted with 5 Pinot and 5 Chardonnay clones. Cuvée Alyce Pinot Noir is named after the matriarch of the Hansel family. It comes from a totally dry-farmed part of the North Slope Vineyard where the soils are very heavy adobe clay resulting in the vines struggling to produce a crop more than 1 ton to the acre. It is a field blend of Dijon clones 777 and 115. This minimal crop yield tends to produce wines that are big, rich, "over the top" flavors; perfect for "Alyce". "The 2018 Pinot Noir Cuvée Alyce is bright, floral and super-finessed.  This mid-weight, focused Pinot has so much to offer.  Red/purplish fruit, blood orange, lavender and spice are all finely knit Pinot from Hansel.  Time in the glass brings out the wine's textural depth and resonance.  I would give the 2018 at least a year or two in the bottle." -Antonio Galloni, 93+ pts.