Walter Hansel Winery
The North Slope Vineyard Chardonnay
Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA
The 2019 Chardonnay The North Slope Vineyard is creamy, open-knit and generous, as these wines tend to be. Apricot, mint, pineapple and passion fruit flesh out nicely, framed by soft, plush contours that add considerable appeal. The 2019 has softened quite a bit since I tasted it last year. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2022)
The 2019 Chardonnay The North Slope Vineyard is creamy, open-knit and generous, as these wines tend to be. Apricot, mint, pineapple and passion fruit flesh out nicely, framed by soft, plush contours that add considerable appeal. The 2019 has softened quite a bit since I tasted it last year. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, January 2022)
These Walter Hansel wines are incredible buys, especially with some age. At first it was extremely reductive and not wanting to show any sort of fruit. A few hours later, it yielded some grilled lemon and papaya with sea salt. Dense on the palate with smoked honeycomb and savory like pineapple. Pop these soon!
These Walter Hansel wines are incredible buys, especially with some age. At first it was extremely reductive and not wanting to show any sort of fruit. A few hours later, it yielded some grilled lemon and papaya with sea salt. Dense on the palate with smoked honeycomb and savory like pineapple. Pop these soon!
Feb 16th, 2019
A great less expensive alternative to Rombauer
A great less expensive alternative to Rombauer
Jan 30th, 2023
Medium gold color. Lovely nose that resembles higher end White Burgs. Wine is thick and deep but very restrained. Maybe it needs a few years or a lot of air but never really came to life.
Medium gold color. Lovely nose that resembles higher end White Burgs. Wine is thick and deep but very restrained. Maybe it needs a few years or a lot of air but never really came to life.
Aug 22nd, 2022
One of the best California Chardonnays I’ve ever encountered, and the first time I’ve had a Hansel white wine. There’s a lot going on here, and everything is so just delicately balanced. Salty lemon, blood orange, marmalade, pear, fresh herbs, vanilla bean, crushed rocks, mint, etc. The oak treatment here is uniquely impressive, and the wine just keeps giving. Would love to revisit in a few years, because it will improve.
One of the best California Chardonnays I’ve ever encountered, and the first time I’ve had a Hansel white wine. There’s a lot going on here, and everything is so just delicately balanced. Salty lemon, blood orange, marmalade, pear, fresh herbs, vanilla bean, crushed rocks, mint, etc. The oak treatment here is uniquely impressive, and the wine just keeps giving. Would love to revisit in a few years, because it will improve.
Apr 19th, 2022
Honied pears covered in coconut oil. Toffee, butterscotch, candied lemon, etc. Really not my style but not bad. Nice oaky nose, swift mineral flare keeping the acids alive.
Honied pears covered in coconut oil. Toffee, butterscotch, candied lemon, etc. Really not my style but not bad. Nice oaky nose, swift mineral flare keeping the acids alive.
Oct 31st, 2017