2019
Nuns canyon vineyard
One of California’s great volcanic sites, this single-vineyard expression produces wines indelibly marked by the mineral energy derived from its fractured basalt composition. Underlaid with the confidence of restraint, this 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon blend is sleek and vertical with impressive persistence building elegantly across the palate.
97 points
Wine Advocate
“If you haven’t discovered Hamel, it looks as though they merit serious attention from wine consumers… The full-bodied palate embodies power and weightlessness… Its flavors are pure yet complex, and it finishes with haunting iron and violet character.”
—Erin Brooks, September 3, 2023
Profile
Dark ruby unwinding in the glass, a brooding bouquet of fresh raspberry and cherry opens over notes of peony, coniferous forest floor and sandalwood. The structure is tightly knit, layered and substantial.
Energetic from the attack, the palate is lifted through arching tannin to a powerful, ferrous finish that carries reserves of minerality and salinity. Textured, refined and complex, this wine will continue to further develop over the next fifteen years.
Vintage Notes and Technical Details
The 2019 vintage began with steady precipitation throughout the winter months, with a record of eighteen inches of rainfall occurring in February. On top of the wet conditions, cooler weather in February and March caused a later start to the growing season in April. An additional four inches of rain in May created healthy and strong vigor and growth in the vines through the end of July. The wet conditions of the spring were followed by a dry summer culminating with a warm August, allowing for optimal ripening conditions following veraison. With the abundant winter and spring rainfall and our dedication to farming without irrigation, we were able to dry farm 75% of our vineyards in 2019. The warm and dry conditions allowed the grapes to fully ripen, and harvest began with Sauvignon Blanc on August 27th and continued gradually throughout the first half of September. A dry heat wave beginning on September 24th accelerated the harvest, which was completed by October 7th. The 2019 wines will be defined by purity of fruit and bright freshness.
- Blend: 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc
- Production: 867 Cases
- Appellation: Moon Mountain District
- Vineyard: 100% Nuns Canyon Vineyard
- Fermentation: 57% Stainless Steel Tanks, 25% Oak Tanks, 18% Concrete Tanks
- Aging: 20 Months, 36% New French Oak Barrels, 64% Neutral French Oak Barrels
- Bottling Date: June 1, 2021
- Harvest Dates: September 18 – October 4, 2019
- Alcohol: 14.3%
Explore Our Vineyards
To capture the complexity of our vineyards’ volcanic terroir, we embrace a level of precision, scale and knowledge that reflects the geologic contours of our place.