Lunch Tasting With Stephen Hansel

I was invited by VinUnic to a tasting lunch with the charming Stephen Hansel from Walter (Stephen´s father) Hansel winery.

2015 Chardonnay The Meadows Vineyard
The 15 Meadow has an open, smoky nose with notes of almond paste, blood grape and warm grass. Inviting and fine.
The taste is medium bodied and fine with notes of grilled lemon, grape and grass. Very, very good for the near time drinking.
90p   (tasted 2020/01)

2016 Chardonnay Cahill Lane Vineyard
A beauty. The nose is cool and elegant with notes of sweet lime, chives, smoke and white flowers. A low keyed intensity. Just lovely.
The taste is young and tight with charm and finesse and notes of lime, spices, minerals and matchbox.Very long and lingering.
94p   (tasted 2020/01)

2016 Chardonnay North Slope Vineyard
A deep, focused nose with notes of grilled lemons, white currants, smoke and dry fudge. Very fine.
The taste is spicy and fine with notes of white balsamic vinegar, lemon cream, red basil and gravel. Long and luscious.
92p   (tasted 2020/01)

2016 Pinot Noir Estate Vineyard
A finely balanced, light nose with notes of red currants, dried raspberries, earth and licorice. Very, very good.
The taste is perky and fine with notes of red beets, red currants, violets and a salty touch. A fine sweetness to the fruit.
91p   (tasted 2020/01)

2016 Pinot Noir North Slope Vineyard
The North Slope shows of a spicy, perfumed nose with notes of ripe raspberries, rosehips and earth. Deep and fine.
The taste is handsome and balanced with notes of cranberries, raspberries, gravel and spices. A very fine acidity. Very fine.
93p   (tasted 2020/01)

2016 Pinot Noir South Slope Vineyard
Darker and tighter, the South Slope offers up notes of wild raspberries, asphalt and licorice on the nose. A very fine ripeness to the fruit.
The taste is concentrated yet elegant with lovely notes of raspberry licorice, forest floor and fried herbs. Very long.
93p   (tasted 2020/01)

2016 Pinot Noir Cahill Lane Vineyard
As with the Chardonnay´s, Cahill Lane has fashioned a stunner. The nose is deep and luscious with notes of ripe raspberries with some blueberries tossed in, dark flowers, Asian spices and root vegetables. Very, very fine.
The taste is tight and concentrated with notes of red beets, raspberries, sweet lingonberries, sand, spices and forest floor. Very focused. Long. Great wine.
95p   (tasted 2020/01)

I also had the good fortune to recently taste the 2016 Cuvée Alyce.