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Walter Hansel Winery The North Slope Vineyard Chardonnay 2019
92 Points The Walter Hansel North Slope Chardonnay is another great chardonnay release from Walter Hansel. Limited. 94 Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2019 Chardonnay The North Slope Vineyard is one of the most overtly, powerful wines in this range. A wine of real phenolic intensity, the North Slope is a structured, savory Chardonnay that is going to need a few years to come around. It is incredibly distinctive. Crushed rocks, tangy herbs and lemon confit all grace a Chardonnay that balances power with transparency." ...The Hansel wines capture the essence of the Russian River in their exuberant, forward personalities. In my view, the Chardonnays are reference points for what Wente clone Chardonnay is all about. Quality is high across the board and pricing remains incredibly consumer friendly throughout the range, making these some of the most delicious and compelling Sonoma wines readers will come across."
Ratings on Delectable
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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)
9.4
Adam Beasley
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.
9.4
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