Cellar Favorite: 1970 Hanzell Vineyards
Pinot Noir &amp; Chardonnay

BY ANTONIO GALLONI | FEBRUARY 9, 2026

The 1970 Pinot Noir is quite simply one of the
greatest American wines I have ever tasted. Dark, layered and so expressive,
the 1970 opens beautifully with time in the glass. Deeply pitched spice,
macerated cherry, leather, tobacco and game are some of the many nuances that
gradually reveal themselves over time. At nearly 56 years of age, the 1970 is a
time capsule into the early days at Hanzell. What a treat it is to taste this
from a perfectly stored bottle. The 1970 was made from vines planted in 1953 by
viticulturist Ivan Schoch using cuttings from To-Kalon, where Schoch was also
the manager at the time. The widely accepted history is that Schoch used
cuttings from Peter Martin Ray that originated in Burgundy and that were
brought into California by Paul Masson. Unforgettable. 98/2026-2032<img alt="" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.vinous.com/uploads%2F1770649093158-CF_Feb092026.jpg">Hanzell’s 1970 Chardonnay is wild. It, too, has aged
impeccably. The wine’s orange-ish hue and exotic flavor profile suggest the
presence of some botrytis. Apricot jam, papaya, passion fruit, honey and dried
flowers sweep across the palate. Rich and viscous, the 1970 is obviously fully
mature, and yet it remains suspended in time by veins of supporting acid and
more than enough structure to carry the mid-palate and finish. It’s an
extraordinary testament to the quality and ageability of the wines from this
pioneering Moon Mountain estate. All of this fruit is from the original 1953
plantings, done with clonal material taken from Stony Hill. 96/2026-2030© 2026, Vinous. No portion of this article may be copied, shared or redistributed without prior consent from Vinous. Doing so is not only a violation of our copyright but also threatens the survival of independent wine criticism.

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