The 2001 Pinot Noir South Slope (522 cases made from Burgundy clone 777 and cropped at 1.75 tons of fruit per acre) offers up ethereal notes of underbrush, sweet cherries, plums, and hints of figs as well as black currants. Medium-bodied and beautifully fruited, with outstanding purity, no hard edges, and a nicely textured, medium-bodied finish, it will drink well for 4-5 years. For a winery founded only in 1996 (situated down the road from Dehlinger and Kistler), this estate is on fire, producing Burgundian-styled offerings that are the products of natural yeast fermentations, gentle handling in the cellars, with the Pinot Noirs kept on their lees, and no fining or filtration at bottling. If readers have not yet tasted the wines of Walter Hansel, they are missing some stunning wines. All of the cuvees enjoy 45-65 percent new oak. Tel. (707) 525-3614; Fax (707) 528-2415