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Walter Hansel
Walter Hansel 2018 Estate Chardonnay, Russian River Valley
$ 24.99
92 Points - New Release
Another great chardonnay release from Walter Hansel. Limited.
92 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "Hansel's 2018 Chardonnay The Estate Vineyard is absolutely gorgeous. In 2018, The Estate has an extra kick of freshness and energy that marries well with the Russian River exuberance that is so typical of these wines. The Estate is the most vibrant and floral of these Chardonnays. It is also a fabulous value in today's world."
Robert Parker: "...The Hansel wines capture the essence of the Russian River in their exuberant, forward personalities. In my view, the Chardonnays are reference points for what Wente clone Chardonnay is all about. Quality is high across the board and pricing remains incredibly consumer friendly throughout the range, making these some of the most delicious and compelling Sonoma wines readers will come across."
Walter Hansel 2017 'Cahill Lane' Chardonnay, Russian River Valley
$ 31.99
95 points - new release
Walter Hansel's Cahill Lane (uses the same the Old Wente clone as Cuvee Alyce Chardonnay) is a beautiful, hand-crafted 100% Chardonnay from one of our favorite boutique producers down the road from Kistler. Limited.
93+ points Antonio Galloni: "The 2017 Chardonnay Cahill Lane Vineyard brings together many of the qualities that make Stephen Hansel's wines so appealing. Vibrant and also vertical in its construction, the Cahill Lane is a rare 2017 that needs time to soften, as today it is quite dominated by structure."
91+ Points Robert Parker: "The 2017 Chardonnay Cahill Lane, from Wente clone vines, features white peach, Bosc pear, gun flint hints and rocky notes with toasty and citrus character. The palate is light to medium-bodied and lightly creamy in texture with concentrated citrus fruits, juicy freshness and a long, saline finish. This feels a bit closed down at the moment....
...This is an enviable winery run by Stephen Hansel with exceptionally high-quality Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs that he sells at modest prices, which speaks to his humility and commitment to serious wine consumers. There are more than 80 acres of estate, so it is not small, split evenly between Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. He breaks the cuvées down by their vineyard terroir/site."
Walter Hansel 2017 The North Slope Chardonnay, Russian River Valley
$ 34.99
92 Points
The 2017 North Slope Chardonnay is another great chardonnay release from Walter Hansel. Limited.
92 Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2017 Chardonnay The North Slope Vineyard is another super-expressive wine in the range. In this tasting, the North Slope is oily and beautifully textured, with striking resonance and exceptional balance. It is especially viscous in 2017, and it's a style that works beautifully. This silky, creamy Chardonnay should drink well with minimal cellaring."
...The Hansel wines capture the essence of the Russian River in their exuberant, forward personalities. In my view, the Chardonnays are reference points for what Wente clone Chardonnay is all about. Quality is high across the board and pricing remains incredibly consumer friendly throughout the range, making these some of the most delicious and compelling Sonoma wines readers will come across."
Walter Hansel 2018 'Cuvee Alyce' Chardonnay, Russian River Valley
$ 36.00
95 points - new release
Walter Hansel's Cuvee Alyce Chardonnay is a beautiful, hand-crafted 100% Chardonnay from one of our favorite boutique producers down the road from Kistler. Limited.
95 Points Robert Parker: "The 2018 Chardonnay Cuvée Alyce opens slowly to lovely aromas of warm peaches and apricots with accents of toast, roasted almonds and honey. The medium-bodied palate is silky, super concentrated, layered and fresh, cut through with uplifting mineral character and finishing very, very long. Gorgeous!"
93 points Antonio Galloni: "The 2018 Chardonnay Cuvée Alyce is rich and vivid, yet also light on its feet. A wine of real personality and character, the Alyce is intense and yet not at all heavy. Lemon peel, almond, dried flowers and sweet spice are all nicely lifted in a class, understated Chardonnay that will drink well with minimal cellaring."
Robert Parker: "...This is an enviable winery run by Stephen Hansel with exceptionally high-quality Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs that he sells at modest prices, which speaks to his humility and commitment to serious wine consumers. There are more than 80 acres of estate, so it is not small, split evenly between Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. He breaks the cuvées down by their vineyard terroir/site."
Walter Hansel 2018 Estate Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
$ 39.99
Walter Hansel's Estate Pinot Noir is a beautiful, hand-crafted wine from one of our favorite boutique producers down the road from Kistler. Only made 300 cases produced. Limited.
94 Points Robert Parker: "The 2018 Pinot Noir Estate, aged in 60% new François Frères barrels, has a medium ruby color and aromas of cured meats, red and black cherries, graphite, dried earth and tobacco leaves. The medium-bodied, satiny palate explodes with concentrated earth- and spice-laced fruits, gently grainy, super fresh and finishing very long and uplifted. 861 cases produced...
...Some of the best values in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir emerge from Stephen Hansel’s winery in the Russian River Valley. He also has the wonderful Walter Hansel Wine & Bistro on Guerneville Road in Santa Rosa.
92 Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2018 Pinot Noir The Estate Vineyard bright, floral and super-expressive. Rose petal, lavender, red/purplish berry fruit and spice open up in a mid-weight, nuanced Pinot loaded with personality. The Estate has so much character. Readers will find an understated, beautifully restrained Russian River Pinot. Floral notes reaper on the finish, adding lift. This is such a pretty wine."
Walter Hansel 2017 South Slope Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
$ 44.00
95 Points
Another beautiful small-production Pinot Noir from Walter Hansel who continues to make a small amount of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay down the road from Kistler, at unbelievably sane prices. Stock up while available.
92 Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "Hansel's 2017 Pinot Noir The South Slope Vineyard is a very pretty and expressive wine. Spice, game, earthy notes, licorice and dried cherry give the South Slope its distinctly savory personality. Pliant and juicy, the 2017 is a terrific choice for drinking now and over the next few years. Today, the fruit is a bit in the background, while earthier qualities are more present than they were last year."
92 Points Robert Parker: Pale to medium ruby-purple, the 2017 Pinot Noir South Slope (all Dijon clone 777) has a savory nose of toast, dried leaves, pipe tobacco, dried rose petals, amaro and tangerine peel with a core of blackberries and cranberries. The palate is medium-bodied and silky with fine, grainy tannins and great freshness, finishing long...
...This is an enviable winery run by Stephen Hansel with exceptionally high-quality Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs that he sells at modest prices, which speaks to his humility and commitment to serious wine consumers. There are more than 80 acres of estate, so it is not small, split evenly between Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. He breaks the cuvées down by their vineyard terroir/site"
Walter Hansel 2017 'Cahill Lane' Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
$ 44.99
93 Points
Another beautiful small-production Pinot Noir from Walter Hansel who continues to make a small amount of Pinot Noir down the road from Kistler, at unbelievably sane prices. As a result they always sell out quickly. Stock up while it's available.
93 Points Robert Parker: "Pale to medium ruby-purple, the 2017 Pinot Noir Cahill Lane has a broody nose of sliced blueberry, black cherry and warm blackberries with cinnamon, nutmeg, tree bark and amaro accents plus crushed red cherries, raspberry jam, warm strawberries and dried flowers. Medium-bodied and silky, it fans out in the mouth with lush, concentrated fruits and tons and tons of spicy and earthy accents, with a firm frame of grainy tannins and very juicy acidity, finishing very long and layered. 750 cases produced....
...“Pricing is important to me,” says Steven Hansel. “In the marketplace, most people treat wine like a commodity—if people are willing to pay $100, that’s what it’s sold for—without any relation to what it actually costs to make. If we’re going to get young people to drink wine, they can’t pay those prices. I believe young people would like to enjoy wine, but they don’t have the resources. So, why are we raising prices? If we charge too much, they’ll buy tequila or something else—and then we’re all out of a job.” An astute observation. The Hansel wines, besides being delicious, provide excellent value. Bravo!"
Walter Hansel 2018 'North Slope' Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
$ 45.00
94 Points
Another beautiful small-production Pinot Noir from Walter Hansel who continues to make a small amount of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay down the road from Kistler, at unbelievably sane prices. Stock up while available.
95 Points Robert Parker: "The 2018 Pinot Noir The North Slope has a medium ruby-purple color with deep aromas of cranberries, blackberries and rhubarb accented by blood orange, pipe tobacco and forest floor. The palate is medium-bodied, both powerful and elegant, with concentrated, detailed flavors, a silky, fresh frame and long, lifted finish. 1,087 cases produced...
...Some of the best values in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir emerge from Stephen Hansel’s winery in the Russian River Valley. All of the Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs are bottled unfiltered. This is a source for very fine Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs at some of the most realistic prices to be found in Northern California."
94 Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2018 Pinot Noir The North Slope Vineyard ample and creamy, with terrific depth and tons of Russian River generosity. Black cherry, plum, mocha, spice and licorice all open up in this beautifully resonant, expansive Pinot. Floral overtones and bright acids add vibrancy to play off the racy, soft Russian River curves. Best of all, the 2018 will drink well with minimal cellaring."
Walter Hansel 2017 'Cuvee Alyce' Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
$ 47.99
94 Points
Another beautiful small-production Pinot Noir from Walter Hansel who continues to make a small amount of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay down the road from Kistler, at unbelievably sane prices. Limited.
94 Points Robert Parker: "The 2017 Pinot Noir Cuvée Alyce is pale to medium ruby-purple with scents of warm cinnamon, spiced cranberry sauce, orange peel, dried roses, tea leaves, warm earth, crushed strawberries, blackberries, saline and woodsmoke—so many layers! It's medium to full-bodied and floods the mouth with warm fruits laced with classy new oak spices. It has a frame of fine, grainy tannins and wonderful juicy freshness, finishing very long and layered. So good! 938 cases produced."
...Some of the best values in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir emerge from Stephen Hansel’s winery in the Russian River Valley. He also has the wonderful Walter Hansel Wine & Bistro on Guerneville Road in Santa Rosa. Hansel reduced the crop size by 20%-30% through crop thinning in 2014 because of irregular berry size and improved the level of concentration. All of the Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs are bottled unfiltered."
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