Slightly better is the 2006 Chardonnay North Slope which displays crushed rock white currant and quince notes a bit of pineapple and poached pear and some hints of smoky nuts in a full-bodied evolved but complex style. This too needs to be drunk soon - 1-2 years. In contrast the 2007This is a source for very fine Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs at some of the most realistic prices to be found in Northern California. Like several producers in the Russian River the 2006s out of bottle from Walter Hansel Winery seem to be evolving quickly and by-and-large are slightly less impressive than they were at the beginning of their lives. Nevertheless the good producers have achieved noteworthy success in this vintage and certainly Stephen Hansel should be proud of what he's been able to accomplish in that vintage. Moreover the 2007s look to be a return to the brilliant quality of the wines produced here in 2005 and 2004. Tasting through barrel samples of all the 2007 Pinot Noirs this looks to be a superb vintage for Stephen Hansel. Yields were very small averaging about 1.5 tons of fruit per acre so these wines reflect a level of concentration but with the overt fragrance and good acidity that the cool growing season provided.