WINE REVIEW: Hamel 2020 Stratum, Red Wine, Sonoma Valley, CA ($60)

by Andrew Chalk

This is the first Hamel wine that I have tasted and what a pleasant surprise! Note the long bottle age. That is one factor that contributes to its seeming maturity. The nose goes beyond the usual fruit elements, having secondary notes of cigar box, and tertiary notes of forest floor. Tannins are velvet-textured,but resolute enough to allow gains from further aging. 

Personally, I would open a bottle now, barbecue a tenderloin of beef, and enjoy an impromptu smash-up dinner!

Recommended.

Production

Blend: It is a blend of two-thirds cabernet sauvignon, one-third merlot. 

Vineyards: Hamel Family Ranch accounts for 23% of the fruit, with the remaining 77% coming from Nuns Canyon Vineyard. 

Fermentation was in 56% neutral French oak, 30% stainless steel, and 14% concrete eggs. 

Aging was 12 months in 72% neutral French oak, 9% new French oak barrels, 19% in 1-year-old French oak barrels followed by 5 months in 100% concrete tanks. 

Bottled: June 2022.

Production: 1987 cases. 

ABV: 14.3%  

Winery Background

Estate-grown wines;

Western side of Mayacamas Mountains;

Location: Moon Mountain District and Sonoma Valley;

Commitment: Dry farming, Certified Organic and Biodynamic practices, sustainability, stewardship, forward-thinking innovation;

Terrier is king;

Soil: Some volcanic;

Grapes: Cabernet sauvignon, merlot, sauvignon blanc, grenache;

Sample.