Today we share one of Sonoma outstanding producers of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Tasting through the 2022 wines, I was sitting with HALL President Mike Reynolds who saw 2022 as initially “normal vintage.” But when a heat dome struck during harvest “it was really hot, getting up to 117 degrees. Vines at that moment in time are in a very fragile state. A lot of the vines are hanging at 18 or 19 brix and the vines start scavenging for water wherever they can get it. Berries shrivel.” Reynolds continued “I think that there are a lot of things that can go sideways in a vintage like that. Sugars get concentrated but there is no progressing of the flavors in there. You can actually get the vines to stop getting color extraction but we saw lots of chaos in September.”
On the vineyard side Reynolds felt that their optical sorter was “a total game-changer.” He continued “In 2022 we were sorting out 5 or 10% of the grapes because it did not meet our standards. Having that tool allows you to keep that kind of fruit out of the fermenter.” Yields were down in 2022 because of “The diminished weight due to the heat event and then sorting out the raisins.”
I think that you will really enjoy the WALT wines from 2022. They are dense, jam-packed full of flavor and are producing really good drinking enjoyment now. Do not miss out on the amazing 2022 WALT ‘Clos Pepe’ Pinot Noir (OB, 96) which is the finest version of this wine that I have tasted yet. Salty and savory, this is already drinking beautifully. The best wine I tasted was the world-class 2022 WALT ‘Bob’s Ranch’ Pinot Noir (OB, 97) which has massive concentration and cellaring potential. Learn more about these incredible wines at https://www.waltwines.com/ and here are the outstanding new 2022 wines by WALT.
2022 WALT ‘Las Brisas’ Pinot Noir- This 2022 Sonoma County based ‘La Brisa’ Pinot Noir comes mostly from the Bob’s Ranch Vineyard which is heavily influenced by ocean breezes. The site is now planted to 62 acres of Pinot Noir. The wine is smooth with a seamless mouthfeel and beautiful salty character with pretty red rose water and bright, saline drenched red fruits on the palate. Drink 2023-2033- 93
2022 WALT ‘Santa Rita Hills’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Santa Rita Hills’ displays a gorgeous nose with pretty potpourri tones alongside salted kumquat and shades of pomegranate seed. The wine is pretty and concentrated with a seriously good mouthful and loads of diatomaceous earth character alongside an ebullient core of red fruit flavors. This offers serious value. Drink 2023-2035- 94
2022 WALT ‘Rosella’s Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The Rosella’s Vineyard is owned by the Franchioni family and set in the Salinas Valley. This family began growing grapes back in the 1980s. Stored in roughly 30% new French oak, the nose comes off very salty with boysenberry fruits that meld well with dried herbs, wet stone and shades of orange peel. The palate is deep and concentrated with serious underlying verve and an exceedingly long finish. Drink 2023-2035- 95
2022 WALT ‘Clos Pepe’ Pinot Noir- This outstanding Pinot Noir comes from a historic site in the Santa Rita Hills which is in close proximity to the Pacific Ocean. Clos Pepe is an estate vineyard which is leased by Stephen and Kathy Pepe who founded their site back in the 1990s. The wine comes off rich and layered with loads of mouth-watering acidity and freshness. A massive core of juicy red and dark fruits combine with blood orange zest mingle with salty soils. This is totally stunning. Drink 2023-2038- 96
2022 WALT ‘Bob’s Ranch’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Bob’s Ranch’ comes from this vineyard located in the Petaluma Gap, located just south of Sebastopol. An 88 acre site, mostly planted to Pinot Noir, this wine is a barrel selection from the best blocks in the vineyard. Bob’s Ranch Pinot Noir was first made with the 2014 vintage. The palate comes off super seamless and concentrated with serious flavor density, power and brilliant underlying finesse. A massive core of dark fruits greet you with freshly tilled soils, with underlying citrus zest accents. Super complex and delicious, enjoy this beautiful wine now and over the next fifteen plus years. For my palate this is the finest edition of this wine made yet. Drink 2023-2039- 97