2007 Chasseur Pinot Noir Sexton

The 2007 Pinot Noir Sexton Vineyard’s dark ruby/purple color is accompanied by aromas of sweet plums, black cherries, and Asian spices. Deep and full-bodied with a sensational texture, light tannins, and the distinctive forest floor and floral notes of high-class Pinot Noir, this attractive wine should evolve easily for 5-8 years. Bill Hunter is a bigger-than-life guy working out of a low-tech warehouse producing hand-crafted, small lot wines in a French style. Production appears to have leveled off between 2,500 and 2,800 cases of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Virtually all of his vineyards are on the western fringes of the Russian River Valley where it segues into the Sonoma Coast appellation. Hunter calls it the West County triangle area, between Sebastopol, Freestone, and Occidental. Hunter’s winemaking philosophy demands the gentlest handling possible, with the wines moved by either Argon gas (the non-bruising neutral gas) or gravity, fermented in tiny lots, and bottled in most cases without any fining or filtration. Chasseur is definitely a reference point for consumers looking for the highest quality Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs from northern California. These are all very impressive wines that merit serious attention. Moreover, their prices are reasonable for the quality level. Chasseur’s Pinot Noirs are fermented in tiny, one-ton fermenters with some whole clusters (stems) used. Tel. (707) 829-1941; Fax (707) 829-1494