Hamel Family Wines

Isthmus Sonoma Valley Red Blend 2019

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I have some 2016 of this that I haven’t opened yet that I bought for more than a fair price on Last Bottle. The 2019 was good and confirming what I believed about this producer, that they fly under the radar because they are a Sonoma based producer. Confirmation you should never judge a book by its cover. Quite nice. 94+ in time.

The photo of “The Great Wall of Bacon” was a first experience. Great Bacon that I didn’t finish because I could feel it harden my arteries. But if you are going to eat it, this is worth the fat & calories. Three flavors offered.

Pebble Beach Food & Wine 2025 — a day ago

Ceccherini, Tom and 6 others liked this

Hamel Family Wines

Estate Sonoma Valley Zinfandel 2021

Neal Ferry

9.2

I bought 3 to take back to Nebraska, outstanding — 9 months ago

Alheit Vineyards

hemelrand Vine Garden Roussanne Blend 2018

Fredrik Finn

9.3

Near equal parts of Rousanne, Chenin and Chardonnay backed by Verdelho and a touch of Muscat sourced from Hamel en Aarde in Walker Bay, South Africa. Low intervention winemaking with elevage in old, neutral wood.
A fab complexity on the nose with a generous fruit, ranging from bruised apple, juicy peaches, orange blossom, through some tropical characters with a honeyd edge followed by toasted nuts and a mother rock-minerality. Rich on the palate but with a fresh acidity and a savoury dimension, ripe fruit drives the palate with a creamy slight waxy mid palate through a dry and solid finish. A performance that hits well above its modest price, though fall somewhat short on the finish to play in the big league, nevertheless an other remarkable wine from Alheit.
Serve at 10-12 degrees in generous burgundy glasses — 4 years ago