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 Vintage2013 Label 1 of 30 
TypeRed
ProducerWalter Hansel Winery (web)
VarietyPinot Noir
Designationn/a
VineyardCuvée Alyce
CountryUSA
RegionCalifornia
SubRegionSonoma County
AppellationRussian River Valley

Drinking Windows and Values
Drinking window: Drink between 2016 and 2023 (based on 85 user opinions)
Wine Market Journal quarterly auction price: See Walter Hansel Pinot Noir Cuvee Alyce on the Wine Market Journal.

Community Tasting History

Community Tasting Notes (average 91.4 pts. and median of 91 pts. in 42 notes) - hiding notes with no text

 Tasted by wabi47 on 12/1/2023 & rated 89 points: silky feel, floral notes; RRV style; solid (234 views)
 Tasted by Quiller on 12/11/2021 & rated 89 points: Opened, poured and let sit 45 min. Then: This bottle is pretty close to my 11/7 bottle. Good pinot nose; pretty decent pinot fruit, although a bit sharpish/acidic at first. The sharpish/acidic sensation stays throughout, but mellows out a bit. The pinot taste gets a little bit reductive/over-ripe by the end of the glass, but still fairly nice. Last bottle of this vintage and Alyce cuvee and not a bad way to end it.
Day 2: Pretty much the same as Day 1, but a little mellower/subdued in comparison. Still tasty. (616 views)
 Tasted by Quiller on 11/12/2021 & rated 88 points: Opened, poured and let sit 1/2 hr. Then: Almost the same as my 11/7 note, minus the streak of acidity, and maybe even a bit more pinot nose/taste at first. But then flattened out fairly quickly. Still pleasant, but not that interesting. (607 views)
 Tasted by Quiller on 11/7/2021 & rated 89 points: Opened, poured and let sit 1/2 hr. Then: 3rd-to-ast bottle of this wine and the nose was more pinot-like than any of the others. At first, taste was even pinot-like, although a bit unbalanced with a streak of acidity. After about 1/2 hr, the acidity and the pinot taste retreated a bit and sweetish red fruit took over. Maybe it is bottle variation, but the lack of balance suggests that it is time to drink up. Still found some pleasure in this. (608 views)
 Tasted by jaumealaska on 10/2/2021 & rated 92 points: Deep garnet. No bricking. Savory nose with baking spice and dark fruits. Well balanced with a touch of brightness on the finish. Still drinking on its early mature stage. Lovely. . (661 views)
 Tasted by Quiller on 8/15/2021 & rated 90 points: Found another one of these and based on my last note, thought I better get to it. Opened, poured and let sit 1/2 hr. Then: Faint reddish/darkish nose; reddish fruit on entry that turns a bit darker by the finish. The finish is almost a bit harsh or tannic/chalky and detracts from the otherwise pleasant taste. Unfortunately, still no particular pinot taste; pleasant overall wine, just not noticeably pinot. (619 views)
 Tasted by Quiller on 5/9/2021 & rated 89 points: Almost 4 months since my last bottle, and this one is different yet again. Opened and let sit for 1/2 hr; then drank over the next hour: Not much nose; dark fruit on entry and middle, but then things turn a bit disjointed/harsh, with the finish obscuring the fruit. Relatively smooth, except at the end. Certainly drinkable, but not what I was expecting based on the last bottle. This dark fruit component/dominance seems to be a common characteristic of so many wines now, whether pinot, zin or cab. This complaint is not necessarily aimed at Hansel as I think their pinots mostly avoid this. People must think this dark fruit aspect is attractive, otherwise it would not be so prevalent, but its usual heaviness seems to obscure almost everything else about the wine. I think I've reached the point where I think it almost is a defect. (522 views)
 Tasted by Quiller on 1/16/2021 & rated 93 points: Day 1: Poured and let stand 1/2 hr. Had another bottle of this on 1/1/2021 and thought I better drink up my remaining 2 bottles. This bottle if quite different. Seamless from entry to finish; a bit of cherry and cola and spice. Just beautiful.
Day 2: Pretty much the same, just a bit more muted on the flavors. Still very nice. Maybe 91+ on Day 2.
Given the variation in bottles, not sure what to expect with my last bottle. Probably will drink in a month or so, hoping it will be similar to this 1/16 bottle. (595 views)
 Tasted by Quiller on 1/1/2021 & rated 90 points: Still a fairly nice wine, but maybe beginning to fade, at least on the back-end? Perhaps a bit lighter feel now. (581 views)
 Tasted by dsimmons on 6/3/2020 & rated 93 points: Delicious Pinot drank with salmon baked in parchment paper. Cherry, cola, and earth. My first bottle of this beauty. Look forward to drinking over the next 3-6 years. (814 views)
 Tasted by tunaguy on 4/4/2020 & rated 94 points: This is excellent today. An alluring mix of younger and mature notes. Sweet cherries, cranberry, very ripe strawberry, wet turn earth, brown sugar, vanilla, dried meat, scorched earth, mushrooms, soy sauce. Came out of the bottle firing. These are ready to drink now (762 views)
 Tasted by libero on 1/11/2019 & rated 92 points: Our guests were surprised how good it is. (1291 views)
 Tasted by libero on 1/3/2019 & rated 91 points: A very good PINOT. Better at opening than one hour later. (1149 views)
 Tasted by BGK810 on 8/4/2018 & rated 92 points: Strawberry, ripe raspberry, a bit of anise. Delicious. (1378 views)
 Tasted by Bourgognefreak on 12/20/2017 & rated 91 points: quite similar to the 2014 Cuvee Alyce but without the gunpowder. A bit more round and excellent forwardness without being too sweet or flabby. Really nice. (1714 views)
 Tasted by SMZ on 11/2/2017 & rated 92 points: Delicious (1846 views)
 Tasted by odyssey11 on 7/16/2017 & rated 92 points: Very good. Lighter than some Russian River pinots, with a lovely light/bright acidity. Good fruit shows its roots though. Another fantastic effort by Walter Hansel. (1924 views)
 Tasted by shaferguy91 on 6/14/2017 & rated 92 points: No decant. (1989 views)
 Tasted by tunaguy on 4/14/2017 & rated 93 points: fantastic! baked strawberry, cola, a bit of mushroom, and oak. Would love to see where this is in 3 years. Great QPR at $38 (1829 views)
 Tasted by odyssey11 on 4/9/2017 & rated 91 points: Bright, clean, lively pinot. Good fruit, but not the heavy almost Cab-like expression some Pinots are going for these days. Good drinking on its own, and brings a nice refreshing zing to a spicy dish.

Would definitely buy again. Great value. (1552 views)
 Tasted by shaferguy91 on 4/5/2017 & rated 91 points: No decant. (1456 views)
 Tasted by SMZ on 3/10/2017 & rated 90 points: Nice flavorful wine, but nothing memorable (1164 views)
 Tasted by jfutey on 3/9/2017 & rated 91 points: Holy mouth watering, drool inducing, lip puckering acidity Batman! Definitely has the Hansel DNA and flavor profile but with a lighter body and overall intensity than the Slope wines. But the big defining character of this wine is the SEARING acidity that leaves you lip smacking for days. Might wanna slather on some lip balm before diving in though because she tingles the old mucus membranes just a smidge. �� I was going to criticize this a being inferior to the amazing Slope wines but then it really stands on its own and if I want Slope wines, I'll just drink Slope wines. (1110 views)
 Tasted by mveller on 2/4/2017: Very nice....very balanced, a bit acid but very drinkable (1163 views)
 Tasted by RedNectar on 1/20/2017 & rated 91 points: Pleasure to drink- light on its feet, the acid is there but does not overpower. Structure is subtle and balanced, a bit of smoke on the back end- 15 second finish. (1192 views)
 Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine...

Professional 'Channels'
By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, Sonoma, Anderson Valley and Beyond: New Releases (Jan 2015) (1/1/2015)
(Walter Hansel Winery Pinot Noir Cuvée Alyce Russian River Valley) Subscribe to see review text.
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Vinous. (manage subscription channels)

CellarTracker Wiki Articles (login to edit | view all articles)

Walter Hansel Winery

Producer website

Pinot Noir

Varietal character (Appellation America) | Varietal article (Wikipedia)
Pinot Noir is the Noble red grape of Burgundy, capable of ripening in a cooler climate, which Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot will not reliably do. It is unpredictable and difficult both to grow and to vinify, but results in some of the finest reds in the world. It is believed to have been selected from wild vines two thousand years ago. It is also used in the production of champagne. In fact, more Pinot Noir goes into Champagne than is used in all of the Cote d'Or! It is also grown in Alsace, Jura, Germany, the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Romania, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Serbia, Italy, and so forth, with varying degrees of success.


Pinot Noir is one of the world's most prestigious grapes. It is very difficult to grow and thrives well in France, especially in Champagne and Burgundy. Pinot Noir thrives less in hot areas, is picky on soil, and deserves some oak storage.

Pinot Noir, or Blauburgunder / Spätburgunder in German, is a blue grapevine - and, as the German name suggests, the grape comes originally from Burgundy in France.

The grape, which thrives in calcareous soils, is used primarily for the production of red wine, and it is widely regarded as producing some of the best wines in the world. The wine style is often medium-bodied with high fruit acidity and soft tannins. It can be quite peculiar in fragrance and taste, and not least in structure - which may be why it is referred to as "The Grapes Ballerina".
Pinot Noir is also an important ingredient in sparkling wines, not least in champagne since it is fruity, has good acidity and contains relatively little tannins.
The grape is considered quite demanding to grow. The class itself consists of tightly packed grapes, which makes it more sensitive to rot and other diseases.

Pinot Noir changes quite easily and is genetically unstable. It buds and matures early which results in it often being well ripened. Climate is important for this type of grape. It likes best in cool climates - in warm climates the wines can be relaxed and slightly pickled.
In cooler climates, the wine can get a hint of cabbage and wet leaves, while in slightly warmer regions we often find notes of red berries (cherries, strawberries, raspberries, currants), roses and slightly green notes when the wine is young. With age, more complex aromas of forest floor, fungi and meat emerge.

In Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Hungary, it often produces light wines with less character. However, it has produced very good results in California, Oregon and New Zealand.

With its soft tannins and delicate aroma, it is excellent for white fish, chicken and light meat. For the stored wines you can serve small game. Classic duck breast is a matter of course, a Boeuf Burgundy and Pinot Noir are pure happiness.

Pinot Noir loses quality by over-harvesting.
Pinot Noir is prone to diseases, especially rot and mildew. Viruses cause major problems especially in Burgundy.
Pinot Noir are large round grapes with thin skins. Relatively high in alcohol content. Medium rich tannins and good with acid.
As a young person, Pinot Noir has a distinctly fruity character such as raspberries, cherries and strawberries.
A mature Pinot Noir, the taste is different. Cherry goes into plum and prune flavors. It smells of rotten leaves, coffee, moist forest floor and animal wine. This must be experienced.
In warm climates you find boiled plum, some rustic, little acid.
If the grapes are over-grown, the wine will be thin, with little color and flavor.

USA

American wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.

California

2021 vintage: "Unlike almost all other areas of the state, the Russian River Valley had higher than normal crops in 2021, which has made for a wine of greater generosity and fruit forwardness than some of its stablemates." - Morgan Twain-Peterson

Sonoma County

Mendocino County

Russian River Valley

Russian River Valley Winegrowers Association | Wikipedia

 
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