Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/759645
{ SOMMjournal.com } 97 Southern Glazer's of California recently started representing this gem, so I thought it would be impor- tant to conduct a retrospective tasting with the wines together with some top Bay Area somms. After lots of planning and organizing, the special day was here. Wines were delivered to our offices in San Francisco a few days ahead to ensure they would be perfect. Michael Garcia from American Wines spent his weekend setting up polished Riedel Burgundy glasses for 35 eager tasters. Five Chardonnays and four Pinot Noirs were opened, tasted and poured. I was stunned to see how lively the wines were. The line-up was: Hanzell 2014 Chardonnay Sebella Hanzell 2013 Chardonnay Hanzell 2002 Chardonnay (Magnum) Hanzell 1992 Chardonnay (Magnum) Hanzell 1977 Chardonnay Hanzell 2013 Pinot Noir Hanzell 2002 Pinot Noir (Magnum) Hanzell 1992 Pinot Noir (Magnum) Hanzell 1977 Pinot Noir Michael McNeil, Hanzell's passionate winemaker, along with Geoff Kruth, MS, and Fred Dame, MS, led the tasting. We invited sommeliers from all over Nor thern California, who were excited to be par t of this histori - cal tasting. The 2014 Sebella was the perfect start to the morn- ing, rich with a bright finish and a great value. I nosed all the wines together and they possessed unbelievable complexity, with both '92s offering up aromas remi- niscent of beautiful Burgundies, while both '77s were incredibly lively. I sat next to Hanzell President Jason Jardine, who told me, "Just wait: The wines still need to open up." I regarded him doubtfully, but after 20 minutes he proved me wrong, and the older wines continued to show more complexity. These are world-class wines, with beautiful freshness, unreal acidity and texture that embody ageability. This tasting filled up the same day the invites went out, and the consensus among all the somms attending was that it was a true treat to be part of this retrospec - tive tasting. It's not every day you get to drink 40-year- old Chardonnay and Pinot Noir! As a longtime fan of these wines, it's an honor to be able to sell them to our best customers. Sasha Hagenlock, Wine Director, Harvest Inn, Napa; Kim Beto, VP of Key Accounts, Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits; and Petra Polakovicova, Wine Director, Epic, San Francisco. Hanzell President Jason Jardine (left) with Hanzell winemaker Michael McNeill.