2021 Walter Hansel

"Cuvee Alyce" Chardonnay

Russian River Valley

Hyde, Hudson & Wente Clones, most full-bodied

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."

94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:

"The 2021 Chardonnay Cuvee Alyce is gorgeous and lush, pouring a saturated golden hue, and is forward with aromas of baked golden apple, preserve lemon, toasted spice, and pine resin. Rounded and packed with glycerol-like texture, this full-bodied white is ample but lifts cleanly off the palate with a long finish, leaving behind a mouthwatering hint of salinity. Allow it another 6 months to a year in the cellar and drink 2024-2032."

Winery notes:

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.

• 14.4% ABV
• 842 cases made

Only 25 bottles left

Avg Online: $42.00 

Ours: $38.97

2021 Walter Hansel

"North Slope" Pinot Noir

Russian River Valley

French clone 115

94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:

"The 2021 Pinot Noir The North Slope Vineyard pours a deep yet transparent magenta color and reveals lifted aromas of toasted pine, red cherry, and crushed roses. Medium-bodied, it delivers wonderful freshness, with fine tannins, a gorgeous, supple texture, a linear feel, and clean, lifted finish. It has a lot of fresh energy with an elegant touch that should hold up nicely over the coming 10-12 years."

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."

Winery notes:

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.

• 14% ABV
• 909 cases made

Only 23 bottles left

Average Online: $49.00

Ours: $45.97

2021 Walter Hansel

"Estate" Pinot Noir

Russian River Valley

Rochioli Pommard Clones, made to drink earlier

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."

90 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:

"The spicy and ripe 2021 Pinot Noir The Estate Vineyards displays a dark ruby/red hue and is forward with aromas of sandalwood, stewed cherry, and cracked pepper. This full-bodied Pinot is toasty on the palate, with fleshy fruit and angular acidity. A generous entry to the range, it will benefit from another 6 months to a year in bottle. Drink 2024-2028."

• 14.2% ABV
• 399 cases made

Only 16 bottles left

Average Online: $46.00

Ours: $41.97