Duke of Bourbon - Rare Wines - Fine Spirits - Personalized Service - David, Judy and Ron Breitstein - 20908 Roscoe Blvd - Canoga Park CA 91304 - Phone: 818/341-1234 or 800/4-FINE-WINE - Fax: 818/341-9232
20908 Roscoe Blvd • Canoga Park CA 91304
Hours: Mon - Sat • 9AM - 6PM		 Phone: (818) 341-1234 • Fax: (818) 341-9232
Outside California: (800) 4-FINE-WINE

Cheers! from the Duke of Bourbon

We here at the Duke are always excited when we find a winery on the rise. Walter Hansel Winery is a perfect example. Here is what Robert Parker had to say:
"This estate is a somewhat unknown source of high-quality, Burgundian-styled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Hansel, a Sonoma car dealer, founded the winery in 1978. They own a total of 80 acres, and the goal is to make wines that satisfy the Hansels' palates, which is essentially what all top winemakers do. I learned about these wines during a tasting with Tom Rochioli, who told me to keep an eye out for the Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs of this up and coming producer. Just down the road from Dehlinger and Kistler, it appears to be on fire qualitatively. The 2002s are stunning, and the 2003s are not far off that mark. Both the Chardonnays and the Pinot Noirs see between 45-60% new oak, are very fairly priced (actually underpriced if the truth be known), [emphasis added] and are made with traditional Burgundian techniques of whole cluster pressing for the Chardonnay, primarily destemmed Pinot Noir fruit, and the utilization of good clones, primarily old Wente and Hanzell clones for the Chardonnay and the fashionable Pommard for the Pinot Noirs along with some of the new Dijon clones such as #777 and #115. Read on to see what he had to say about the individual wines.

Walter Hansel 2002 Chardonnay, Cahill Lane
This is a wine that Parker regards very highly. He awarded it 94 points and opined, "The impressive 2002 Chardonnay Cahill Lane is one of the finest Chardonnays I tasted during my trip. A big, sweet nose of nectarines, pineapple, lemon butter, and flowers jumps from the glass of this hugely textured effort. With a Batard-Montrachet-like buttery-ness and opulence, this wine recalls some of the finest offerings from Michel Niellon. I suspect it will drink well for 4-5 years ... but why wait!" The Duke is offering this scarce beauty in a mixed 6-pack of Chardonnay - 4 Hansel Family Vineyard and 2 of the Cahill Lane - for $176.00. Sorry, but we must limit purchases to two 6-packs.

Walter Hansel 2002 Chardonnay, Hansel Family Vineyard (Estate)
We think this is a terrific wine - a full-blown Chardonnay - rich and buttery with a long, long finish. Parker likes it, too, as he awarded it 91 points on his 100-point scale and said, "The 2002 Chardonnay Estate exhibits the classic smoky, hazelnut aromas of a premier cru Meursault. It possesses a straw color with a light greenish hue, medium to full body, plenty of unbuttered popcorn notes, and loads of flavor in its long, heady finish." The Duke has it for you at $28.00 per bottle. Buy a 6-pack for $162.00! No limit!

Chateau Montelena 2002 Chardonnay
This is a classic effort from Napa Valley. Parker awarded it 90 Points when he tasted it last month. He noted, "After a year of bottle age, the 2002 Chardonnay continues to reveal fresh apple blossom, white pear, and white peach notes in a medium-bodied, crisp style with good depth as well as refreshing acidity. Purity is a characteristic of these Chardonnays, and it is found in both the 2002 and 2003. Retailing at the winery for $33.00, the Duke has it for you at $27.99 per bottle.

Long Vineyards 2001 Chardonnay
Bob Long makes some of the most opulent and age-worthy Chardonnays in the Napa Valley area. His 2001 is a complex wine that has a distinct connection to the earth from which it came. It has a rich palate with hints of citrus, lemon and green apple. The finish lingers on and on. Normally it retails for $30.00, but it is usually $25.00 per bottle here at the Duke. If you make your purchase before April 2, our price is just $23.99 per bottle.

Clendenen Family Vineyards 2001 Chardonnay, Le Bon Climat
This incredible Chardonnay from the Central Coast of California was originally slated to be bottled under the Au Bon Climat label. Winemaker Jim Clendenen thought it worthy of his CFV brand. Parker thought it was worthy also, awarded it 90 points, and raved, "The 2001 Chardonnay Le Bon Climat, which includes a Clendenen Family Vineyard designation on the label, reminded me of a Chassagne-Montrachet or Meursault premier cru. Smoke, butter, hazelnut, and roasted notes characterize this creamy-textured, deep, rich, evolved, fleshy Chardonnay. It should drink well over the next 2-3 years." It normally retails for $50.00 but if you purchase before April 2, we will make it $45.00 per bottle. The 2002 vintage of the CFV Le Bon Climat Chardonnay will be released in September, 2005. We are offering futures on it today at $39.99 per bottle. A 100% deposit is required to hold your order.

Chaparral 2003 Chardonnay
One of the things we love here at the Duke is a high-quality wine that is easily affordable. Working with Jim Clendenen (of Au Bon Climat fame - see the previous listing), we have developed a sensational wine at a price that makes it ideal for parties and receptions. Sorry, we can't offer effusive quotes from Parker or The Wine Spectator. This is a wine that simply tastes good and goes well with a wide variety of foods and situations. Jim makes a similar Chardonnay that we have seen on a local restaurant's wine list for $40.00. We think it is a good value at the estimated retail price of $17.00. It is available only here at the Duke (we've owned the Chaparral label since 1977) and we have it for you at just $11.99 per bottle. Hint: Turn that 6-pack purchase into a full case to make the cost of shipping more effective.

These prices are good until April 2, 2005, or while our supplies last.
Call the Duke today!
To quote Parker again, "why wait!"

And now a special treat for those of you who made it to the bottom of this note. When you call with your order for Walter Hansel Chardonnay, be sure to ask about the 2002 Cuvee Alyce. Parker awarded this classy, but extremely limited, Chardonnay a whopping 96 points. We only have a few bottles available and will offer you one with your order of at least a 6-pack of Walter Hansel wines. Ask for pricing and availability when you call.



Think of fine wine! Think of the Duke!


Home Vine-Line Join Our Mailing List Private Cellars Email Specials
Currently Available Wine Futures Duke's Gift Catalog Recent Arrivals Big Bottle Bonanza
Email the Duke Wine Association Events Duke's Wine Library Vine-Line Back Issues Map to the Duke
Terminal 55 Wine Storage Lockers
We are Happy to Deliver or Ship!
Just Call (818) 341-1234 or outside California (800) 4-FINE-WINE
Store Hours: Monday-Saturday 9AM - 6PM Pacific Time
Web Page Production by Fuji Publishing Group.
This URL is http://dukeofbourbon.com/es050317.html
Copyright © 1995 - 2008 Duke of Bourbon
Produced by Fuji Publishing Group All rights reserved.