2013 Walter Hansel Chardonnay The North Slope
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Tasting notes
Hansel's 2013 Chardonnay The North Slope Vineyard has come together nicely over the last year. Honey, orange peel, spice and butter are all pushed forward in an attractive Chardonnay that has a lot to offer. Drink this open knit, super-classic Russian River Chardonnay over the next handful of years. The slight hint of reduction that was once present is still there, and it slightly masks the fruit, but otherwise, the North Slope is quite attractive.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Today, the 2013 Chardonnay North Slope is a bit reduced, especially in its bouquet. There is plenty of weight and depth in the fruit, but the aromatics aren't quite as focused as they typically are. It will be interesting to see how things develop here, but today, the North Slope isn't its usual self.
Fashioned from yields of 2 to 2.5 tons of fruit per acre, the 2013 Chardonnay North Slope sees 30% new and 70% used barrels. It has nowhere near the generosity of its 2012 counterpart, but it exhibits beautiful nectarine, tangerine and other assorted tropical fruit notes, crisp, zesty acidity and a hint of wet stones that provide unmistakable minerality. Drink now-2018.