2021 Walter Hansel Chardonnay Cuvée Alyce
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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.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
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This is a gorgeous set of Chardonnays from Stephen Hansel. The 2021s are bright and full of the textural nuance that is such a signature in the vintage. These whites remain archetypes for the Russian River Valley. Hansel also turned out brilliant 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. These are among the very finest Pinots I can remember tasting here. Best of all, the wines remain exceedingly fairly priced, especially in today’s environment.