2001 Walter Hansel Chardonnay Cahill Lane Vineyard
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The spectacular 2001 Chardonnay Cahill Lane (750 cases) boasts knock-out aromas of citrus oils, white flowers, lemon butter, orange marmalade, and pineapple along with excellent texture, medium to full body, good underlying acidity, and a mouth-coating, refreshing, as well as impressively deep style. It should drink well for several years. For a winery founded only in 1996 (situated down the road from Dehlinger and Kistler), this estate is on fire, producing Burgundian-styled offerings that are the products of natural yeast fermentations, gentle handling in the cellars, with the Pinot Noirs kept on their lees, and no fining or filtration at bottling. If readers have not yet tasted the wines of Walter Hansel, they are missing some stunning wines. All of the cuvees enjoy 45-65 percent new oak. Tel. (707) 525-3614; Fax (707) 528-2415
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Rather wild aromas of toasted grain, nutmeats, smoke and white chocolate. Concentrated, dense and chewy, with oatmeal, grain and nut oil flavors. Distinctly less fruit-driven than the Hansel Family Vineyards example. Finishes dry and a tad harsh.