Walter Hansel Winery

Russian River Valley Chardonnay

9.017 ratings
9.05 pro ratings
Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA
Chardonnay
Duck, Shellfish, Goose, Mushrooms, Manchego & Parmesan, Game, Pork, Squash & Root Vegetables, Chicken, Turkey, Cheddar & Gruyere, Meaty & Oily Fish, White Fish, Shellfish, Crab & Lobster, Cream Sauces
Top Notes For
Sipping Fine Wine

Medium lemon with aromas of nice ripe stone and tropical fruits with floral spice notes. Sourced from 40+ year-old vines, on the palate flavors of apple, peach and pineapple fruit flavors with a nice dollop of citrus and toasty oak. Well balanced, fresh long finish ending with creamy mineral character. Nice value.

Medium lemon with aromas of nice ripe stone and tropical fruits with floral spice notes. Sourced from 40+ year-old vines, on the palate flavors of apple, peach and pineapple fruit flavors with a nice dollop of citrus and toasty oak. Well balanced, fresh long finish ending with creamy mineral character. Nice value.

Feb 1st, 2021
Ron R
9.3

2016 is stunning. Aromatics and palate presentation are so sexy. Nose presents candied apples and brioche. Palate is similar, complicated by honey, beeswax and almonds. Dense mouthfeel, which just sails on. At $25 per bottle (in NJ), this is a case buy.

2016 is stunning. Aromatics and palate presentation are so sexy. Nose presents candied apples and brioche. Palate is similar, complicated by honey, beeswax and almonds. Dense mouthfeel, which just sails on. At $25 per bottle (in NJ), this is a case buy.

Mar 22nd, 2020
James Forsyth

Brought this wine along, along with several others, to celebrate the birthday of a dear friend. Here's some bias: we served this at our wedding. It is rich and voluptuous. Some tropical notes but beautifully balanced. For a while some subscribed to the ABC approach to wine selection: "Anything but Chardonnay". This well made, remarkably good value, delicious wine from Sonoma should remind anyone with such a philosophy of the error in their ways. A little gem.

Brought this wine along, along with several others, to celebrate the birthday of a dear friend. Here's some bias: we served this at our wedding. It is rich and voluptuous. Some tropical notes but beautifully balanced. For a while some subscribed to the ABC approach to wine selection: "Anything but Chardonnay". This well made, remarkably good value, delicious wine from Sonoma should remind anyone with such a philosophy of the error in their ways. A little gem.

Feb 18th, 2018
Paul J
9.3

Dark gold color. Needed some air to blow off some funk. Nutty and buttery with low acid. Medium plus depth. Finish could have been longer. Good QPR @ $34.

Dark gold color. Needed some air to blow off some funk. Nutty and buttery with low acid. Medium plus depth. Finish could have been longer. Good QPR @ $34.

May 8th, 2022
Maarten 't Hooft

Buttery. Acidic minerality.
Golden colour.
Aftertaste of apples

Buttery. Acidic minerality.
Golden colour.
Aftertaste of apples

Mar 3rd, 2022
Blake Foster

Paired with salmon...tasty buttery goodness.

Paired with salmon...tasty buttery goodness.

Jan 1st, 2018
Andrew Suszko

Rich, full beautiful Chardonnay with classic notes of butter and vanilla. Good acid.

Rich, full beautiful Chardonnay with classic notes of butter and vanilla. Good acid.

Jan 6th, 2016
Michael Feinstein

Chardonnay

Chardonnay

Mar 17th, 2013
Pascal Ezaki

Russian river, vanilla, hazel. at wellingtons. really good $42.

Russian river, vanilla, hazel. at wellingtons. really good $42.

May 11th, 2012
Garrick Mallery

Garrick had this 6 years ago

Garrick had this 6 years ago

Jun 28th, 2018