Walter Hansel Chardonnay "Cuvee Alyce" 2021 (Russian River Valley, Sonoma, California) - [VM 94] [JD 94]
Walter Hansel Chardonnay "Cuvee Alyce" 2021 (Russian River Valley, Sonoma, California) - [VM 94] [JD 94]
Walter Hansel Chardonnay "Cuvee Alyce" 2021 (Russian River Valley, Sonoma, California) - [VM 94] [JD 94]
Walter Hansel Chardonnay "Cuvee Alyce" 2021 (Russian River Valley, Sonoma, California) - [VM 94] [JD 94]

Walter Hansel Chardonnay "Cuvee Alyce" 2021
(Russian River Valley, Sonoma, California) - [VM 94] [JD 94]


$45.00 $38.97 Save $6.03
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VM94 JD94
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About the Winery: 
Walter Hansel was a lifelong wine enthusiast who had the vision to plant his estate's original 250 vines down the road from Kistler and Dehlinger in 1978. Today, Stephen, Walter's son - who studied under Tom Rochioli - 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.

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, but none of the wine is aged on entirely new oak. One and two-year-old barrels are always employed.

About the Vineyard:
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. My Mom, Alyce, was an exciting Lady with over-the-top energy and appeal. This wine takes after her.

"Alyce was the life of the party." - Stephen Hansel 

Ratings & Reviews

94 Points - Vinous Media:
"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.

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.”

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." - (Nov 2023)