WALT is HALL’s seriously good winery that focuses on world class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The winery was named after Kathryn Hall’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 2019 WALT ‘Bob’s Ranch’ Chardonnay (OB, 94) which shows seriously good freshness with amazing flavor density. I was crazy about the 2019 WALT ‘Clos Pepe’ Pinot Noir (OB, 95) which is fresh and vibrant, terroir-driven Pinot Noir that has wonderfully salty tones. Learn more about these beautiful wines at https://www.waltwines.com Here are the beautiful new wines by WALT.
2019 WALT ‘Bob’s Ranch’ Chardonnay- Sourced from the Sonoma Coast AVA, with Chardonnay vines (various clonal selections) planted at ‘Bob’s Ranch’ back in 2010, this property was acquired by HALL back in 2014. The Chardonnay revels in its silky texture with layers of buttercream, pear, baking spice dusted brioche and a seamless dining experience all the way through. The flavor density is fantastic and wait for the exceedingly long, gratifying finish. Drink 2021-2031- 94
2019 WALT ‘La Brisa’ Pinot Noir- The silky and refined ‘La Brisa’ is sourced from the Sonoma Coast AVA and mainly from the Bob’s Ranch Vineyard. The saline drenched red fruits all wonderful complement the freshly tilled soils on the nose. The palate is silky and refined with gobs of minerality and finesse. Very pretty red fruits mingle with peat moss and orange rind on the palate. Finishing very long, enjoy this outstanding wine over the next decade. Drink 2021-2029- 94
2019 WALT ‘Blue Jay’ Pinot Noir- Sourced from the Anderson Valley, HALL has roughly 80 acres planted to Pinot Noir in this region, all near the town of Booneville. The ‘Blue Jay’ is considerably more earthy than the ‘La Brisa’ with more peat moss character and damp earth. The palate is dense and round with a generous mouthfeel and beautiful length. Red and dark fruits mingle with damp earth and wild mushroom on the palate. Drink 2021-2029- 93
2019 WALT ‘Rosella’s Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2019 ‘Rosella’s Vineyard’ Pinot Noir is sourced from this site locate in the western mountains that rise above the Salinas Valley. This vineyard is named after the winegrower’s wife. Right away the nose delivers high-toned red florals alongside guava and pomegranate seed tones with salty tilled soils. Dense and rich saline dusted red fruits mingle with tobacco leaf, leather and a bright veil of tension on the palate. Exceedingly good now, this has another decade or more to go. Drink 2021-2031- 94
2019 WALT ‘Shea Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- WALT has been sourcing from this outstanding Oregon Vineyard for many years now and this cool vintage effort is really singing even at the two year mark. The pretty red florals brilliantly combine with fresh red fruits aromatically. Generous and soft with a rich mouthfeel, the Pinot Noir delivers peat moss flavors alongside ripe red cherry and tobacco leaf with good finesse and a long finish. This is already quite nicely evolved, as this beautiful new Pinot Noir will cellar well over the next decade. Drink 2021-2031- 94
2019 WALT ‘Clos Pepe’ Pinot Noir- The Clos Pepe Vineyard was founded in the late 1980s by Steven and Kathy Pepe. The vineyard is located just east of Lompoc in the Santa Rita Hills appellation. The 2019 ‘Clos Pepe’ revels in its aromatic range from peat moss and pipe tobacco to bright red fruits and wild blackberry. The palate is dense and fresh with beautiful red florals alongside orange rind with sandy soil undertones. Gorgeous now, this has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2021-2033- 95