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#25 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2022
Industrialist James D. Zellerbach acquired the 200-acre Hanzell estate on the Mayacamas slopes above the town of Sonoma in 1948, and in 1952 he planted 2 acres of Pinot Noir and 4 acres of Chardonnay on the site. The Ambassador's ambition was to create a small vineyard and winery dedicated to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. They created the first vintage in 1957 and named their winery Hanzell, a contraction of Mrs. Hana Zellerbach's name.
The original 6-acre vineyard has grown to 42 acres today, allowing Hanzell to produce 6,000 cases annually: three-quarters Chardonnay and one-quarter Pinot Noir, retaining its identity as a small winery dedicated to making the Burgundian varietals at the Grand Cru level.
Mouth-watering aromas of cherry, blackberry, blood orange zest and red plum are buoyed by intriguing graphite, forest floor and earthy cherry tobacco scents. The palate is lush and juicy and shows flavours of blackberry bramble, red fruits, and hints of wet earth. Fruit and earth characters linger on the palate through a long, beautifully balanced and textured finish, making this wine tremendously drinkable now and another outstanding candidate for additional years in the cellar.
95 Points - Wine Spectator
Pure and racy in feel, with lovely damson plum, bitter cherry and raspberry notes flecked liberally with rooibos tea and savoury details. It picks up additional energy through the finish, with a grounding rod of minerality that pulls everything to a pinpoint finish. It puts on weight as it airs, too. Everything is there, and now you need to wait. Best from 2024.
94 Points - Wine Enthusiast
Elegant, textured and delicate in style, this estate wine is funky in earthy compost, forest and black tea. The fruit is quiet, integrated, crisp, and tangy, with a lift of citrus, pomegranate and wild strawberry. This wine is structured to age and should open further in the cellar.
94 Points - James Suckling
A beautiful red with fresh strawberry, lemon rind and some stones. Creamy and clean. Medium-bodied with a layered yet fine-tannin texture and a fresh finish. Very beautiful. Drink in 2024.