The 2020 ‘The North Slope’ Pinot Noir comes from the part of Walter Hansel’s estate Russian River Valley vineyard that is the block furthest North with a South to North facing slope. The wine is comprised solely of the Dijon Cline 115. Like in previous vintages, it offers brambly fruit and rhubarb with fresh forest floor. The palate is medium-bodied, both powerful and elegant, with concentrated, detailed flavors, a silky, fresh frame and long, lifted finish. In the 1970's Walter Hansel enlisted his son, Stephen, to help plant 257 chardonnay vines. Throughout the 1980's their entire family would harvest the half-acre of grapes and Walter would make the wine, which totaled two barrels. After asking their friend, Tom Rochioli, for help with winemaking, Stephen developed a passion to understand everything about the vineyards and the process of making wine. This passion influenced his quest for growing World-class wines. Their first commercial vintage was 1996 and since that time, they have done exactly that- produced exceptional Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and a price point that is far less than their quality.  513 cases were produced.