|
Walter Hansel was a lifelong wine enthusiast who had the vision to plant his estate's original 250 vines in 1978. Today, Stephen, Walter's son, has taken up where his father left off, pursuing his vision of producing world-class Burgundian-styled Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, all from the Russian River Valley.
Steve Hansel's friend, famed winemaker Tom Rochioli, helped him in the early stages of his wine education by inviting him to work a couple of harvests at the Rochioli vineyards.
At Walter Hansel Winery, the emphasis is on low yields for greater complexity. Since all their grapes are grown on their own property, they can exercise strict control in the vineyards, which are planted with 5 Pinot and 5 Chardonnay clones. Each clone was chosen for its specific acid and flavor variations.
All of Steve's fruit is hand-harvested, and it is re-examined again at the winery. Hansel makes an average of 9 total passes through each vineyard. Each pass is time consuming and expensive but Stephen feels the vine rewards him with more concentrated flavors.
The winery uses only natural yeast during fermentation. Fining and filtration are minimal. The Pinots are held on the lees without racking for 12 months. The Chardonnays are whole cluster fermented and gently pressed to extract the juice. The cooperage varies from year-to-year, cuvée-to-cuvée, but none of the wine is aged on entirely new oak. One- and two-year-old barrels are always employed.
Walter Hansel Chardonnay Cahill Lane 2009 $38.99
 92 Robert Parker
The 2009 Chardonnay Cahill Lane (from the old Wente clone off a vineyard in front of Hansel’s house) is a deeper wine offering notes of white peaches, pears, white currants, unbuttered popcorn, hazelnuts and subtle smoke. It is a perfumed, medium to full-bodied white that admirably showcases the purity and elegance of this vintage for Burgundian varietals.
Walter Hansel Chardonnay Carneros 2009 $19.99
This is a great new release from the Walter Hansel stable that offers tremendous value. The 2009 Chardonnay exhibits abundant aromas of white currants, brioche, melon, citrus oil and honeysuckle with a hint of orange marmalade in the background. Rich, medium to full-bodied, perfumed, elegant and pure, it should drink well for 3-4 years.
Walter Hansel Pinot Noir Rogers Vineyard Sonoma County 2009 $26.99
A negociant-styled wine made by Stephen Hansel is the 2009 Pinot Noir Rodger’s Creek. Made from the Pommard clone, it exhibits a meaty, sweet and sour cherry personality with some spiciness, fresh ripe tannins, good body and length and the potential to be outstanding. Moreover, it sells for a song.
Get the latest on wine + beer + spirits news
|
Copyright © 2003-2012
Gruner Inc, All rights reserved.
|
|
