Walter Hansel Pinot Noir Cuvee Alyce 2012

Date of Tasting: 9 March 2015

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 100% Pinot Noir

Alcohol: 14.2%

Origin: California, USA

Appellation: Russian River Valley

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR45

Web: http://www.walterhanselwinery.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 92/100
Professional Rating: WA - 97/100, AG - 93/100, ST - 92/100, CT - 92/100

Appearance: Dark red

Aroma: Ripe black cherry. Spices with mild forest floor.

Palate: Full on the body. Outgoing characters with fruit forward. Cherry and raspberry notes with vanilla tone on the palate.

Beautiful wine at decent price that can be nicely consumed at its young state and should live well to 2020. Not the kind of overly jammy / oaky as in typical Californian pinot noir but hybrid of European characters. I, personally, even enjoy it alone but it should be great with red meat dishes. Cheers!!!!

Walter Hansel The North Slope Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012

Date of Tasting: 30 December 2014

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 100% Pinot Noir

Alcohol: 14.2%

Origin: California, USA

Appellation: Russian River Valley

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR35

Web: http://www.walterhanselwinery.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 92/100
Professional Rating: WA - 94/100, AG - 92/100, ST - 92/100

Appearance: Ruby red

Aroma: Sweet red berries and spices

Palate: Rather rich medium-full bodied pinot. More fruit forward. Dark cherry flavour with fine acidity. Some spicy notes. Gentle and smooth tannins. Balance on the overall.

Nicely approachable Californian Pinot Noir. I had this with shabu shabu and sukiyaki. Food and wine supported each other well. Fruity palate but not too heavily weighted: more of feminine than masculine. To me, this is like a half-blood style of Pinot Noir: i.e. half Burgundian, half New World. Would not mind at all to follow this producer in the future.

Walter Hansel Chardonnay Cuvee Alyce 2012

Date of Tasting: 29 December 2014

Wine Type: White

Grape Varieties: 100% Chardonnay

Alcohol: 14.5%

Origin: California, USA

Appellation: Russian River Valley

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR30

Web: http://www.walterhanselwinery.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 93/100
Professional Rating: WA - 95/100, AG - 92/100, ST - 92/100, CT - 91/100

Appearance: golden yellow

Aroma: perfume of peach, pear, tropical fruits, and flowers

Palate: Buttery, creamy, and concentrated body. Ripe pear with spices and smoky note. Nice acidity and subtle oak. 

Simply said, a fine bottle of Chardonnay that would not break your bank. If the full bodied type with some fruits, spices, and a balance of delicate oak and acidity is what you like, here is an alternative for you. This one would perhaps pair well with white meat dishes or rich flavour fish. I do enjoy this bottle now.

Kistler Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2012

Date of Tasting: 4 December 2014

Wine Type: Red

Grape Varieties: 100% Pinot Noir

Alcohol: 14.1%

Origin: California, USA

Appellation: Russian River Valley

Expect to Pay: ~ EUR70

Web: http://www.kistlervineyards.com/
Chubby Appreciation: 92/100
Professional Rating: WS - 90/100, CT - 92/100

Appearance: bright ruby

Aroma: perfume of rose, menthol, red fruits, and spices

Palate: Subtle and silkily smooth with medium body. Savoury raspberry notes with spices and lively acidity. Fresh, dry, rich and elegant. 

Cool climate style of pinot noir with vibrant and elegant style rather that the usual sweet and dense US pinot noir. The soft and smooth touch are the plus points on the palate whilst the highly perfumed nose is as well wonderful. It is made to be accessible young so consume during the next 5 years. I shall indeed enjoy more of this. Cheers!!!!!