WALT Wines

One of the great California producers of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, WALT was named after Kathryn’s parents, Bob and Dolores Walt who were originally vintners and were  a source of daily inspiration for her. WALT Wines sources from some Pacific Coast's most distinctive vineyards from Sonoma to Oregon. This unique winery project really showcases unique terroirs. I have been really impressed with the wines coming from this house and in particular those sourced from their estate vineyard, Bob’s Ranch, which is located in the Petaluma Wind Gap near Sebastapol. This site was purchased by the HALLs and has been producing some absolutely epic Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that rivals anything out of Sonoma. The wines from this site are big, beautiful and full of bright acidity.

The new wines were sensational across the board. I absolutely loved their new 2018 WALT ‘Bob’s Ranch’ Chardonnay (OB, 94) which is dense with incredible viscosity and a bright beam of acidity. I was crazy about the 2018 WALT ‘Bob’s Ranch’ Pinot Noir (OB, 95) which is a match made in heaven for any serious collector of California Pinot Noir. Learn more about these beautiful wines at https://www.waltwines.com Here are the beautiful new wines by WALT.

2018 WALT ‘Bob’s Ranch’ Chardonnay- This shows a big nose with creme brûlée and Meyer lemon zest with shades of baking spices that complete the seductive aromatics. The mouthfeel is gorgeous here with layers of buttercream, toasted hazelnuts, ripe apricot and shades of nutmeg infused Challah bread. This carries a slight salty nuance. Ripe and seductive, yet showing a good veil of acidity, the wine is gorgeous in its youth and has a long life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2033- 94

2018 WALT ‘Blue Jay’ Pinot Noir- Sourced from an area just outside of Boonville in the Anderson Valley AVA, this Pinot Noir shows damp earthy tones that mingle with shades of wild blackberry and black cherry on the nose. The palate is plush with great texture and bright red and dark fruits that mingle with shades of cola and baking spices. With a great sense of mouthfeel and acidity, this beautiful wine will cellar well for another decade. Drink 2020-2032- 93

2018 WALT ‘Shea Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Dick Shea was a former Wall Street investor that decided to move and invest in the Willamette Valley. WALT has now been working with the ‘Shea Vineyard’ since 2010. The earthy tones come alive immediately as the core of red and dark fruits march with shades of blood orange zest. The palate is soft and shows a great sense of mouthfeel. Layers of pretty rose water tones combine with peat moss and ripe red raspberry and with wet stone accents. Full bodied and downright delicious to consume in its youth, this outstanding bottling will cellar well for a decade or more. Drink 2020-2033- 94

2018 WALT ‘La Brisa’ Pinot Noir- The 2018 ‘La Brisa’ Pinot Noir is sourced from several Sonoma Coast AVA vineyards, with a substantial portion coming from ‘Bob’s Ranch.’ Cran-cola and orange rind tones combine with shades of peat moss on this exotic nose. The palate is plush with gobs of mouth-watering acidity with the feeling of texture is really good. Layers of rich dark fruits combine with peat moss and suggestions of salted orange rind and cola tones on the palate. With exotic spices notes and a long finish, this great new Pinot Noir will cellar well for the next decade or more. Drink 2020-2032- 93

2018 WALT ‘Clos Pepe’ Pinot Noir- The 2018 ‘Clos Pepe’ Pinot Noir is another gorgeous wine by HALL. Many years back this vineyard was leased by HALL, planted to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from this 26 acre parcel. You have to love the salty character on the nose with its bright red fruits and shades of blood orange rind. The palate is fresh and vibrant with great acidity and length. The mouth-watering acidity entices as does the sour red fruits that dance with minerals and forest floor tones. Complete and gorgeous to enjoy in its youth, this great new wine will cellar well for the next decade or more. Drink 2020-2032- 94

2018 WALT ‘Bob’s Ranch’ Pinot Noir- Bob’s Ranch is a site purchased by the HALLs and the wine is a barrel selection wine. The vineyard was planted for them with varied clones and rootstocks, as this vineyard has a very diverse Pinot Noir selections. The first vintage of this wine was in 2014. The elegance of the wine and seamless texture is simply magical. This shows gorgeous dark fruits with cola and citrus rind tones, with a err of salinity. With gorgeous length, this scintillating new Pinot Noir will cellar well for decades to come. This is a complete wine. Drink 2020-2038- 95