The 2015 Pinot Noir Wentzel Vineyard is very pretty, offering up notes of sweet red cherries, red berries and earthy forest floor. On the palate, it’s supple, velvety and pure with juicy acids, fine-grained tannins and a youthfully chewy, stony finish. From a cool, maritime-influenced vineyard that sits 500 feet above the Anderson Valley, planted on a steep west-facing hillside.
- 91 points, Wine Advocate, April 2018
The 2015 Pinot Noir Wentzel Vineyard is rock solid, with a deep, rich, red and black fruit driven profile that carries plenty of peppery herbs, underbrush and spicy characteristics. There’s a hint of underlying floral character, it has impressive density, a seamless texture and good acidity, all suggesting it’s going to evolve gracefully.
- 92 points, Jeb Dunnuck, July 2017
Vintage and Winemaker Notes
As was the case with Halcón vineyard, Wentzel vineyard experienced close to average rainfall. Bud-break was on the early side. Spring was cool and damp leading to some shatter and lowered yield. The summer was very moderate. Our fruit was picked September 21st, two days later than our estate Halcón Syrah. Something about the location and exposure of this vineyard nicely extended development, leading to perfectly mature fruit at just 22.5b.
We followed the same winemaking regime as in 2014 – 35% whole-cluster inclusion, 20% new French oak. There was no inoculation for primary nor secondary fermentation, and no adjustment for acids nor alcohol. We feel that this wine is a step up on the 2014 – concentrated but precise with a great balancing acidity. It has a classic Anderson Valley profile of foresty red fruits, balsa wood and stony earthiness. The stems bring a dried herb and floral complexity without any greenness. Bottled unfined, unfiltered.
Wentzel vineyard sits 600 ft above the Anderson Valley floor in Philo. A steep north-west facing hillside planting of Dijon clones that catches the full force of the cool Pacific Ocean influence. Organically and meticulously farmed. A well regarded vineyard also utilized by Littorai and Copain.
Specifications
Vintage: 2015
Alcohol: 12.8%
Production: 120 cases
Price Comparison
Not for sale online, $420/case MSRP
About The Winery
Winery: Halcón Vineyards
Driven by a love of the ethereal wines of the Northern Rhone and impressed by the cool climate characteristics of wines emanating from Mendocino, Paul and Jackie Gordon searched the Anderson Valley area for a plot of land that could generate truly world-class wine from Rhone varietals. Having found such a site, a site dominated by the same schist soils found in Cote-Rôtie, a windblown, cool mountaintop with a view to the Pacific, we set out to plant a vineyard without compromise.
Located in the Mendocino appellation of Yorkville Highlands, Halcón Vineyards overlooks Anderson Valley and the Pacific beyond. At 2500 ft it is one of the highest vineyards in California. The northerly location, ocean exposure and altitude combine to produce a climate remarkably similar to the Northern Rhône region of France. Above the fog line, the nighttime and early morning temperatures are warmer than the valley below. Conversely, the altitude and regular afternoon breezes moderate the peak temperatures. This smaller diurnal swing provides longer, slower ripening and increased complexity.
Paul and Jackie balance their time in the vineyard with their day jobs. Paul works in high tech whilst Jackie works part time in real estate - allowing her to be a hands on winemaker for Halcon’s many wines. They are passionate about farming and can be found every weekend tending to the vines. Organically farming, they allow the terroir to shine through in the wine they produce while creating a balanced, healthy, and thriving vineyard.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2015 Halcón Vineyards Pinot Noir - $45 = 16.66%
Yes! Got the clue and these guys make great wine! Is Scott Shapley still involved? (For those who may remember, he was the winemaker for Roessler…)
I enjoyed the 2014 Wentzel and will happily split this with somebody or two or three.
@halcon interesting! How come?
I still recall a fantastic afternoon of tasting with you three at your facility in San Francisco a few years ago. Great times, great wine, great people!
I haven’t tasted the ‘15s since I’m still working on the ‘14s but check out the CT notes. Paul and Jackie are the best at what they do and take care of their customers.
No IL but I have alternative shipping addresses. Is there an ice pack shipping option? I seem to recall that last year??? I’m generally done here by now until cooler temps but this one piques my interest, a fan of other wines, haven’t had a pinot though.
@kaolis Your IL alternative since I’m in IL also would be interested in a case. I’m in Chicago. Didn’t know if same location and could provide the alternative to me also and arrange pick up.
@ChiWineOne@halcon@winedavid49 Being a pain as always, but is the shipping date on this accurate? May make a difference if I can pull the trigger or not. Thanks!
@ChiWineOne@halcon@kaolis that is VERY conservative. i’m guessing at least a week earlier. but it’s a new relationship and sometimes it takes a little longer for the wine to come in. but my guess is earlier in June.
@Winedavid49 Thanks, I’ll keep an eye out for it in June. I’m in Florida. It’s 80 degrees here by 8 AM, and I don’t get my FedEx shipments until late afternoon. I just don’t think pinot noir is going to stand up to the heat.
@Winedavid49 I don’t know if that makes me feel better or worse, because when I saw the wine, I was very envious of the rats I assumed had received a bottle.
Tasting Notes
- 91 points, Wine Advocate, April 2018
- 92 points, Jeb Dunnuck, July 2017
Vintage and Winemaker Notes
As was the case with Halcón vineyard, Wentzel vineyard experienced close to average rainfall. Bud-break was on the early side. Spring was cool and damp leading to some shatter and lowered yield. The summer was very moderate. Our fruit was picked September 21st, two days later than our estate Halcón Syrah. Something about the location and exposure of this vineyard nicely extended development, leading to perfectly mature fruit at just 22.5b.
We followed the same winemaking regime as in 2014 – 35% whole-cluster inclusion, 20% new French oak. There was no inoculation for primary nor secondary fermentation, and no adjustment for acids nor alcohol. We feel that this wine is a step up on the 2014 – concentrated but precise with a great balancing acidity. It has a classic Anderson Valley profile of foresty red fruits, balsa wood and stony earthiness. The stems bring a dried herb and floral complexity without any greenness. Bottled unfined, unfiltered.
Wentzel vineyard sits 600 ft above the Anderson Valley floor in Philo. A steep north-west facing hillside planting of Dijon clones that catches the full force of the cool Pacific Ocean influence. Organically and meticulously farmed. A well regarded vineyard also utilized by Littorai and Copain.
Specifications
Price Comparison
Not for sale online, $420/case MSRP
About The Winery
Winery: Halcón Vineyards
Driven by a love of the ethereal wines of the Northern Rhone and impressed by the cool climate characteristics of wines emanating from Mendocino, Paul and Jackie Gordon searched the Anderson Valley area for a plot of land that could generate truly world-class wine from Rhone varietals. Having found such a site, a site dominated by the same schist soils found in Cote-Rôtie, a windblown, cool mountaintop with a view to the Pacific, we set out to plant a vineyard without compromise.
Located in the Mendocino appellation of Yorkville Highlands, Halcón Vineyards overlooks Anderson Valley and the Pacific beyond. At 2500 ft it is one of the highest vineyards in California. The northerly location, ocean exposure and altitude combine to produce a climate remarkably similar to the Northern Rhône region of France. Above the fog line, the nighttime and early morning temperatures are warmer than the valley below. Conversely, the altitude and regular afternoon breezes moderate the peak temperatures. This smaller diurnal swing provides longer, slower ripening and increased complexity.
Paul and Jackie balance their time in the vineyard with their day jobs. Paul works in high tech whilst Jackie works part time in real estate - allowing her to be a hands on winemaker for Halcon’s many wines. They are passionate about farming and can be found every weekend tending to the vines. Organically farming, they allow the terroir to shine through in the wine they produce while creating a balanced, healthy, and thriving vineyard.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Thursday, June 20th - Monday, June 24th
Halcón Vineyards Pinot Noir
4 bottles for $89.99 $22.50/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $224.99 $18.75/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2015 Halcón Vineyards Pinot Noir
No IL???
Wow! Great offer WD! Been a fan of their Syrahs for years thanks to fellow casemateers!
Is this a 24 hour offer?
@losthighwayz
Next Casemates Event
23
hours
41
minutes
04
seconds
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2015 Halcón Vineyards Pinot Noir - $45 = 16.66%
I have enjoyed several different Halcon wines but never had one of their Pinots. Hoping for some rattage…
@chipgreen check out the CT notes. I’ve left one for the 2014 vintage of this plus some of their other pinots
Yes! Got the clue and these guys make great wine! Is Scott Shapley still involved? (For those who may remember, he was the winemaker for Roessler…)
I enjoyed the 2014 Wentzel and will happily split this with somebody or two or three.
@klezman I’m up for splitting with you, though I’ve never tried it but taking a leap of faith.
@klezman Scott was working with us on this wine but we did go it alone on the 2018 vintage. Scott continues to make the Roar wines.
@i8dacat @klezman 3-way split?
@halcon interesting! How come?
I still recall a fantastic afternoon of tasting with you three at your facility in San Francisco a few years ago. Great times, great wine, great people!
@klezman Scott moved south to Monterey with Roar. We moved our winemaking back up to Santa Rosa (where we made the first four vintages).
@klezman @losthighwayz I can go with that. To whom shall the honors go to and lock this in and order?
@i8dacat @klezman @losthighwayz how about a 4-way split?
@klezman
Seems like LA has it covered, so I’ll get a case for the San Diego contingent to divvy up.
@CorTot @i8dacat @losthighwayz
Ok… Whose turn is it to buy?
@CorTot @i8dacat @losthighwayz who’s buying?
@CorTot @i8dacat @klezman giphy posted by i8dacat leads me to believe he already ordered?
@CorTot @klezman @losthighwayz I have not yet but will do so right now. .
@CorTot @klezman @losthighwayz gentlemen, we have wine!
@i8dacat @klezman @losthighwayz excellent work!
@CorTot @i8dacat @klezman @losthighwayz How many splitters in this one? a new record??
@i8dacat @klezman @losthighwayz @Winedavid49 I originally typed “are you guys down for a 4-way?” but thought better of it before hitting submit.
@CorTot @i8dacat @klezman @losthighwayz LOL
I haven’t tasted the ‘15s since I’m still working on the ‘14s but check out the CT notes. Paul and Jackie are the best at what they do and take care of their customers.
No IL but I have alternative shipping addresses. Is there an ice pack shipping option? I seem to recall that last year??? I’m generally done here by now until cooler temps but this one piques my interest, a fan of other wines, haven’t had a pinot though.
@kaolis Your IL alternative since I’m in IL also would be interested in a case. I’m in Chicago. Didn’t know if same location and could provide the alternative to me also and arrange pick up.
@ChiWineOne @halcon @winedavid49 Being a pain as always, but is the shipping date on this accurate? May make a difference if I can pull the trigger or not. Thanks!
@ChiWineOne @halcon @kaolis that is VERY conservative. i’m guessing at least a week earlier. but it’s a new relationship and sometimes it takes a little longer for the wine to come in. but my guess is earlier in June.
@ChiWineOne @kaolis
If you guys find a way to order, I’d be happy to split.
@ChiWineOne @karenhynes check your whispers
@winedavid49 Thank you!
@ChiWineOne @kaolis
Replied.
@ChiWineOne @karenhynes
treacherous-crooked-silk
@halcon @Winedavid49
Good to see Halcón finally came together.
Would love to buy, but I’ve got daily temps in the mid-90s. Any word on when cold shipping will return?
@gemeinschaft79 early June. check your daily lows. that’s just as important when assessing.
@Winedavid49 Thanks, I’ll keep an eye out for it in June. I’m in Florida. It’s 80 degrees here by 8 AM, and I don’t get my FedEx shipments until late afternoon. I just don’t think pinot noir is going to stand up to the heat.
BTW, no rats on this one.
@Winedavid49 just lots of folks in the community who know Paul and Jackie and their wines!
@klezman @Winedavid49 Exceptional wines at great value.
@Winedavid49 I don’t know if that makes me feel better or worse, because when I saw the wine, I was very envious of the rats I assumed had received a bottle.
@novium Funny
Posted in the NoVa thread, but we’re looking for 1 more to split
@karenhynes
check your whispers from earlier in this thread
@karenhynes
/giphy stupid-corrupt-state
@rjquillin
Exactly!!!
@karenhynes I look forward to relocating to Missouri more each day! (But I have to remember to get your WineSmith Cab to you before I do.)