2022 Walter Hansel The Meadows Chardonnay | Russian River Valley Sonoma, California 750ml

This is a new vineyard designated offering from 100% Hanzell Selection grown in a low land Meadow contiguous to the Santa Rosa Creek. It is dry farmed each year and requires extensive shoot and crop thinning each year due to the extreme fertile conditions. The result is the most fruit forward, with more underlying tropical flavors than any of our chardonnays. 392 cases produced. | Walter Hansel Winery

The 2022 Chardonnay The Meadows is laced with hints of tropical fruit, mint, lemon confit, spice and butter. Soft and open-knit, with lovely depth. The Meadows is another impeccable wine from Stephen Hansel. Light tropical inflections linger nicely. | 92 points, Antonio Galloni for Vinous

Antonio Galloni calls Walter Hansel "some of the most consumer friendly wines readers will come across ANYWHERE in California", and we can't agree more. When tasting this wine blind, I almost always place a higher value on it and then get a pleasant surprise at the true price.