7330532486
$ 42.00
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 colored, the 2016 Pinot Noir Cahill Lane gives up a beautifully earthy nose of truffles, black soil and mossy bark with a core of warm cherries, black raspberries and red plums. Medium to full-bodied, it coats the palate with red berries and plum-inspired layers, framed by fine-grained tannins and great freshness, finishing long and earthy. 784 cases produced...
...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."
$ 18.99
A fantastic new Sauvignon Blanc and one of the best in California we've found this year!
Fresh pineapple, passion fruit, pink grapefruit, cream and liquid mineral are present and rich in the Walter Hansel 2017 Sauvignon Blanc. Excellent balalnce and acidity. Fans of Rochioli and Duckhorn will rejoice over the great quality and price of this wine. The fruit for this wine is grown on our Vineyard Manager's property in Lake County. We select the vineyard section and specific vines based on cluster size, weight and ripeness. Notes of melon, fig and pears create a creamy undercurrent; the vibrant acidity will make it food friendly with a variety of dishes.
Walter Hansel was a lifelong wine enthusiast who had the vision to plant his estate's original 250 vines in 1978. Today, Stephen, Walter's son, has taken up where his father left off, pursuing his vision of producing world-class Burgundian-styled Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, all from the Russian River Valley. Steve Hansel's friend, famed winemaker Tom Rochioli, helped him in the early stages of his wine education by inviting him to work a couple of harvests at the Rochioli vineyards. Steve performed his first solo attempt in 1996 out of his garage.
$ 24.99
93 Points - New Release
Another great chardonnay release from Walter Hansel. Limited.
93 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2017 Chardonnay The Estate Vineyard is fabulous, and also one of the very finest values in California wine. In 2017, I am especially impressed by the wine's energy and tension, both of which are remarkable given the hot, dry conditions that marked so much of the year. Dried apricot, flowers and mint are all nicely delineated in this vibrant, super-expressive Chardonnay from Hansel."
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."
$ 34.99
96 Points
Another great chardonnay release from Walter Hansel. Limited.
96 points Robert Parker: "The 2015 season resulted in tiny clusters and small berries with production levels off by a minimum of 25%. The following 2015s will be bottled unfined and unfiltered. The 2015 Chardonnay The North Slope is a relatively small parcel planted on the sandy, loamy, Goldridge soils. This wine has a light greenish-gold color, a beautiful nose of nectarine, white peach and pineapple followed by a sexy, broad, savory full-bodied mouthfeel with an almost exotic fruit character. This is heady stuff and concentrated as most 2015s are. It should drink nicely for 7-8 years....
...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."