Today's Wine Review
2020 Hamel Red Blends or Varietals "Stratum"
Winery: Hamel
Vintage: 2020
Wine Name/Vineyard: "Stratum"
Wine Category: Red Blends or Varietals
Grape blend: 66% Cabernet Sauvignon & 34% Merlot
Bottle size: 750 ml
Region: Sonoma Valley
State or country: CA
Price: $60
Cases produced: 1,987
KWG Score: 91.6 (based on 3 reviews)
Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (93)
Review date: May 28, 2025
Wine Review: This slightly opaque and very dark ruby colored Cabernet Sauvignon based blend from Hamel opens with a ripe black cherry and tobacco bouquet with hints of wet stone. On the palate, this wine is full bodied with integrated medium plus acidity. The mouthfeel is round, smooth, and dense. The flavor profile is stony minerality and black currant blend with notes of tobacco and black plum. I also detected hints of black tea, graphite, and a touch of black cherry. The finish is dry, and its flavors, acidity, and dusty tannins linger and last for quite some time. This red blend benefits from some aeration and decanting. Then we would pair it with burnt ends. Enjoy – Ken
Winemaker Notes: Dark ruby swirling in the glass, the bouquet reveals dark cherry, plum and cassis, complemented by notes of violets, cedar, and iron. Dark fruit flavors envelop a sanguine mineral core on the palate, framed by fine, supple tannins and a refreshing vibrancy. Balanced and classically poised, the wine shows an intricate, chalky minerality that brings elegance and persistence. Accessible in the near term, the wine will continue to develop over the next ten years.
Buy it: Use 1000 Corks to find stores that sell Hamel 2020 Stratum.
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