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Tuesday, August 1st, 2023

CULT RUSSIAN RIVER ROYALTY

NEW 2021 WALTER HANSEL LIMITED RELEASES!

• Unprecedented! These wines were never available through retail for over a decade.

• Founded in 1978 by Walter Hansel when he planted vines in the Russian River Valley down the road from Kistler and Dehlinger. Walter's son Steve Hansel studied under Tom Rochioli.

• Three new stunning Walter Hansel Russian River Valley releases, all at the lowest USA price

"Stephen Hansel turned out a brilliant set of 2021 Pinots that confirm all the promise I sensed in the tank samples just prior to bottling. The 2021s are deep, beautifully perfumed, and super-expressive. Readers will find a collection of Russian River Pinots that offers a compelling mix of fruit intensity and energy. Best of all, the wines remain exceedingly fairly priced, especially in today’s environment. These are among the very finest Pinots I remember tasting here.”

—Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media (Jan 2023)

2021 Walter Hansel "Estate" Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

• 92 Points, Vinous: "...gracious, elegant and silky... This is a very serious wine with a bright, bright future."
• Rochioli Pommard Clones, made to drink earlier
• Only 36 bottles available
• $41.97 btl

2021 Walter Hansel "The North Slope" Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

• 92 Points, Vinous: "...gracious, elegant and silky... This is a very serious wine with a bright, bright future."
• Rochioli & Pommard Clones, made to drink earlier
• Only 36 bottles available
• $41.97 btl

2021 Walter Hansel "Cuvee Alyce" Russian River Valley Chardonnay

• 94 Points, Vinous: "a classic Stephen Hansel wine... a Chardonnay that exudes class."
• Hyde, Hudson & Wente Clones, most full-bodied
• Only 36 bottles available
• $38.97 btl

"When I think about Estates that embody the essence of the Russian River Valley, Hansel always comes to mind. Best of all Stephen Hansel has retained a focus on value. Simply put, these are some of the most consumer friendly wines readers will come across ANYWHERE in California."

-Antonio Galloni

"This is an enviable winery run by Stephen Hansel with exceptionally high quality Chardonnay and Pinot Noir; that he sells at modest prices, which speaks to his commitment to serious wine consumers."

-Robert Parker

"Walter Hansel and his son, Stephen, planted their first Chardonnay vines in the Russian River Valley in the 1970s, and while their brand has become a benchmark, their operation remains resolutely hands-on and family-run. This is artisan Chardonnay with true Burgundian soul that remains one of the greatest values in California wine."

-Master Sommelier Ian Cauble

2021 Walter Hansel "Estate" Pinot Noir

Russian River Valley

92 Points - Vinous:

"The 2021 Pinot Noir The Estate Vineyards is gracious, elegant and silky. Crushed red/purplish berry fruit, spice and mint are nicely laced together in a juicy, mid-weight Pinot that delivers the goods. The 2021 offers tons of immediacy, but marries that with a good bit of energy. This is a very serious wine with a bright, bright future. Drink 2024-2033." -AG (1/23)

More Info:

The Estate wines are made to be fresh and drink earlier than the vineyard designate wines. The Estate parcel for Pinot Noir is at the northern most spot in the vineyard and is planted to the Rochioli clone.

• Alcohol: 14.2% ABV
• Production: 399 cases

Only 36 bottles available

Average Online: $46.00 btl

Our Price: $41.97 btl

2021 Walter Hansel "North Slope" Pinot Noir

Russian River Valley

92 Points - Vinous:

The 2021 Pinot Noir The North Slope Vineyard is a heady, explosive Russian River Pinot. A burst of dark red/purplish berry fruit opens first, followed by sweet floral and spice notes that build effortlessly. This exuberant Pinot is an absolute delight. The North Slope has a touch more savoriness than is the norm in these wines.

More Info:

The North Slope begins four feet from the end of the South slope and continues to slope to the North. It is 100% French clone 115. The close proximity to the South slope does not influence these flavors as clone 115 exhibits the most fruit driven flavors and appears more "New World" then French.

• Alcohol: 14% ABV
• Production: 909 cases

Only 36 bottles available

Average Online: $49.00 btl

Our Price: $45.97 btl

2021 Walter Hansel "Cuvee Alyce" Chardonnay

Russian River Valley

94 Points - Vinous:

"The 2021 Chardonnay Cuvée Alyce is a classic Stephen Hansel wine. It offers notable richness but also a great deal of transparency. Hansel blends two variations of Wente Clone Chardonnay (Hyde and Hudson) with some clone 76 for his Cuvée Alyce, a Chardonnay that exudes class. 2023-2028." -AG (1/23)

More Info:

Produced from the highest elevation and is a product of 3 clones; the Hyde/wente; the Hudson/wente and French Dijon clone 95. These clusters are extremely small and the berries are the size of BB's; offering rich and flavorful wines.

• Alcohol: 14.4% ABV
• Production: 842 cases

Only 36 bottles available

Average Online: $42.00 btl

Our Price: $38.97 btl

Ways to reach us:

• Chat → artisan.wine/?chat

• Email → sales@artisan.wine

• Text → 650-880-3553

• Phone → 650-917-8080