2015 Walter Hansel ‘The Meadows’ Chardonnay

The 2015 Chardonnay The Meadows opens with a slight hint of reduction in its aromatics that adds nuance, brightness and character. Honey, apricot, dried pear, smoke and licorice are front and center. Understated saline notes underpin the finish and add further complexity.
WA91-94 The 2015 season resulted in tiny clusters and small berries with production levels off by a minimum of 25%. The following 2015s will be bottled unfined and unfiltered. The 2015 Chardonnay the Meadows Vineyard is in the northern part of the Hansel estate and at their lowest elevation as it is a meadow next to Santa Rosa Creek. Again, this is dry-farmed and planted with 100% Hanzell clones. Yields are always low and this Chardonnay offers up a light-gold color, concentrated notes of honeysuckle, baked apple pie, cinnamon and plenty of spice in a medium to full-bodied, refreshing, zesty style. Drink it over the next 4-5 years.

This is an enviable winery run by Stephen Hansel with exceptionally high-quality Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs that he sells at modest prices, which speaks to his humility and commitment to serious wine consumers. There are more than 80 acres of estate, so it is not small, split evenly between Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. He breaks the cuvées down by their vineyard terroir/site.