Acclaim for Our 2018 and 2019 Vintage Wines
“Hamel Family Wines continues its pursuit of excellence”
Our approach to winegrowing is built upon a continuous study of our vineyards’ terroir, a commitment to dry-farming, and a dedication to expressing each site’s unique complexity in our wines. External validation of this approach is not something we necessarily seek, but it is something we welcome.
We recently received reviews from Robert Parker Wine Advocate of our 2018 and 2019 vintage wines that we believe reflect the soundness and integrity of this approach and are delighted to share them below:
2018 Vintage
2018 Pamelita Reserve
98 Points, Erin Brooks, Robert Parker Wine Advocate, March 2023
“The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Pamelita Reserve comes from sections of the Nuns Canyon Vineyard identified by Pedro Parra that are almost entirely composed of stone (95%) with smaller portions of silt (4%) and clay (1%). Selected barrels were matured for 20 months, 23% new French oak barrels. Deep ruby in color, it has stony, graphite-laced scents to begin before opening with air—and it’s totally worth the wait. It bursts with aromas of Morello cherries, dried herbs, violet, forest floor and tobacco plus intoxicating wafts of incense. The medium-bodied palate is exceptional for its balance of concentrated flavors and structural weightlessness achieved by powdery tannins and bright bursts of acidity, and the extended finish is replete with a lingering, ethereal perfume. Only 135 cases were made.”
2018 Nuns Canyon Vineyard
96+ Points, Erin Brooks, Robert Parker Wine Advocate, March 2023
“The 2018 Nuns Canyon is a blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon and 26% Cabernet Franc from Hamel Family’s Nuns Canyon Vineyard, and it was matured for 20 months in 36% new French oak barrels. It takes significant time in the glass to begin to reveal its aromas of Morello cherries, thyme and cedar, but the palate is already wonderfully balanced. It boasts concentrated flavors, abundant, powdery tannins and refreshing acidity, with haunting graphite and floral character defining the long finish. This will require at least 3-5 years in bottle to begin to unwind. 1,300 cases were made.”
2018 Isthmus
95 Points, Erin Brooks, Robert Parker Wine Advocate, March 2023
“The 2018 Isthmus is made up of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot from the Nuns Canyon and Hamel Family Ranch Vineyards. Notably, it was matured for 12 months in 26% new French oak barrels and transferred to concrete tanks for an additional 17 months’ maturation. Deep ruby in color, the nose features blackcurrants and cherries with slowly emerging wafts of tobacco, charcuterie, graphite and dried herbs. The medium-bodied palate is powdery and seamless, its structural balance giving it a featherweight feel in the mouth. Fresh, smooth, long and layered, it’s an easy-drinking yet complex meritage that will benefit from another 2-3 years in bottle to unwind. 2,698 cases were made.”
2019 Vintage
2019 Pamelita Reserve
97 Points, Erin Brooks, Robert Parker Wine Advocate, March 2023
“The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Pamelita Reserve comes from sections of the Nuns Canyon Vineyard identified by Pedro Parra that are almost entirely composed of stone (95%) with smaller portions of silt (4%) and clay (1%). Selected barrels were matured for 18 months—33% new French oak barrels. It has a deep ruby color and opens slowly to aromas of black cherries, graphite, dried thyme and lavender, gaining purity as it airs. The full-bodied palate offers intense flavor layers and a weightless feel, with ultra powdery tannins, seamless acidity and a hauntingly floral finish. Balanced and über classy, it’s a pleasure to drink now but will develop over the next 15+ years in the cellar. 276 cases were made.”
2019 Nuns Canyon Vineyard
97 Points, Erin Brooks, Robert Parker Wine Advocate, March 2023
“A blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Cabernet Franc from the Nuns Canyon Vineyard, the 2019 Nuns Canyon was matured for 18 months in 32% new French oak barrels and is exceptional for its embrace of both the full, ripe fruit of California and the classic herbal touches of the Cabernet grape. Deep ruby, it offers generous waves of floral perfume—violet and lilac—with a core of blueberry and black cherry jam and wafts of tobacco, pepper and graphite. The full-bodied palate embodies power and weightlessness, with ultra powdery tannins and refreshing acidity that draws out its fragrance. Its flavors are pure yet complex, and it finishes with haunting iron and violet character. 867 cases were made.”
2019 Hamel Family Ranch
96 Points, Erin Brooks, Robert Parker Wine Advocate, March 2023
“Composed entirely of Cabernet Sauvignon from the Hamel Family Ranch Vineyard, the 2019 Hamel Family Ranch was matured for 18 months in 13% new French oak barrels. Aromas of crushed blueberries, black cherries and pipe tobacco emerge over time as the wine sits in the glass. Medium-bodied, the palate is velvety yet fresh, its bright acidity complementing violet-laced flavors on the long, ethereal finish. It’s drinking beautifully now but has the potential to develop in the cellar over the next 10+ years. 375 cases were made.”
2019 Isthmus
96 Points, Erin Brooks, Robert Parker Wine Advocate, March 2023
“The 2019 Isthmus is a fragrant, easy-to-drink blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot from the Nuns Canyon Vineyard (89%) and the Hamel Family Ranch Vineyard (11%). Matured for 18 months in 22% new French oak barrels, it has a deep ruby color and a nose that is bursting with Morello cherries, baked blueberries, charcuterie, fried savory herbs and peppercorn—complex yet open for business. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is concentrated and floral with persistent acidity, silty tannins and fragrant violet and graphite nuances on the long finish. 2,068 cases were made.”