Walter Hansel Winery
Cuvée Alyce Chardonnay
Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA
This Hansel was beautiful. Started out tight on acidity but calmed down and balanced nicely after a few hours. Bought another. Cheers.
This Hansel was beautiful. Started out tight on acidity but calmed down and balanced nicely after a few hours. Bought another. Cheers.
Dec 20th, 2020
Muted nose with a slither of coconut. Lovely presentation on the palate. Displays butterscotch, caramel and green peppers. Relatively soft and round on the palate. Perfectly balanced with delicate sweetness, and moderate acidity. Light oak treatment completes what is a strong showing.
Muted nose with a slither of coconut. Lovely presentation on the palate. Displays butterscotch, caramel and green peppers. Relatively soft and round on the palate. Perfectly balanced with delicate sweetness, and moderate acidity. Light oak treatment completes what is a strong showing.
Jun 17th, 2019
Great big explosion of tropical fruits. Nice mouthfeel, wow! First time for this 2013! Got to get more at my own store WineWorks in Marlton NJ! Had to plug them . Juice is really good. CB 95
Great big explosion of tropical fruits. Nice mouthfeel, wow! First time for this 2013! Got to get more at my own store WineWorks in Marlton NJ! Had to plug them . Juice is really good. CB 95
Jun 5th, 2016
Rich and ripe, but the fruit is fairly pure and there is a nice base of acidity, though the wood sticks out a little on the finish.
Rich and ripe, but the fruit is fairly pure and there is a nice base of acidity, though the wood sticks out a little on the finish.
Sep 21st, 2014
With some air, this showed florals highlighted by orange blossom, pear and lemon zest, and a bit of slate in a soft wrapper. Very drinkable and could improve over a few years.
With some air, this showed florals highlighted by orange blossom, pear and lemon zest, and a bit of slate in a soft wrapper. Very drinkable and could improve over a few years.
Oct 31st, 2025The ‘21 Cuvée Alice is excellent. Clear golden color, honeysuckle and crisp white fruit on the nose. Smooth, viscous, mouth filling with the same sweet white fruits and some balancing acids.
The ‘21 Cuvée Alice is excellent. Clear golden color, honeysuckle and crisp white fruit on the nose. Smooth, viscous, mouth filling with the same sweet white fruits and some balancing acids.
May 15th, 2023The 2020s from Hansel, sadly, were affected by wildfires near the vineyards which curtailed the growing season. Still, the Cuvée Alyce Chardonnay delivers a brown butter and deep floral nose over a golden color. It’s shy on the palate with a long, balanced finish that leans a bit toward floral, honey and a touch of minerality rather than fruits. A good effort in what sounds to be a tough year.
The 2020s from Hansel, sadly, were affected by wildfires near the vineyards which curtailed the growing season. Still, the Cuvée Alyce Chardonnay delivers a brown butter and deep floral nose over a golden color. It’s shy on the palate with a long, balanced finish that leans a bit toward floral, honey and a touch of minerality rather than fruits. A good effort in what sounds to be a tough year.
Nov 10th, 2022Really well made but a bit too much flowers and honey for me.
Really well made but a bit too much flowers and honey for me.
Jun 18th, 2022
Birthday / Memorial Day party. Not as good as the North Slope bottling, but still so so good. Love these Chardonnays.
Birthday / Memorial Day party. Not as good as the North Slope bottling, but still so so good. Love these Chardonnays.
May 29th, 2022The new release of the Cuvee Alyce is straw colored, rich and full of lychee, melon, lemon and toast with a looong finish. Great wine with lots of potential, so I laid the rest of the allotment down for a few years.
The new release of the Cuvee Alyce is straw colored, rich and full of lychee, melon, lemon and toast with a looong finish. Great wine with lots of potential, so I laid the rest of the allotment down for a few years.
Dec 4th, 2021