2018 True Believer Reserve
Made entirely from our head-trained True Believer Vineyard at the N/W corner of Bien Nacido
Grenache 55%, Syrah 34%, Mourvèdre 9%, Other 2%
Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck
Review The 2018 Reserve is a beauty, with a gorgeous array of ripe black fruits, scorched earth, graphite, and ground pepper. Fermented with 28% stems and brought up in 75% new French oak, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a plush, sexy, yet concentrated mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a great finish. This pleasure-bent beauty is not to be missed.
Rating 95 pts
Made entirely from our head-trained True Believer Vineyard at the N/W corner of Bien Nacido
Grenache 55%, Syrah 34%, Mourvèdre 9%, Other 2%
Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck
Review The 2018 Reserve is a beauty, with a gorgeous array of ripe black fruits, scorched earth, graphite, and ground pepper. Fermented with 28% stems and brought up in 75% new French oak, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a plush, sexy, yet concentrated mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a great finish. This pleasure-bent beauty is not to be missed.
Rating 95 pts
2018 El Martillo
Equal parts Bien Nacido, True Believer, and French Camp Vineyards
Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck
Review Beautiful blackcurrants, blackberries, roasted herbs, pepper, and some meaty notes all emerge from the 2018 El Martillo, a fleshy, full-bodied, sexy red that brings fruit and opulence while staying balanced and light on its feet… (made up of) 54% Syrah, 25% Petite Sirah, 13% Grenache, and 8% Viognier, it saw just 10% stems and spent 16 months in two-thirds new 500-liter French oak barrels. Its deeper, almost opaque purple color is followed by a Syrah-driven bouquet of ripe black (and some blue) fruits supported by ample pepper, violets, sappy herbs, and bay leaf-like aromas and flavors. Nicely textured and full-bodied, it has lots of tannins, notable purity, and a great finish.
Rating 94 pts
Equal parts Bien Nacido, True Believer, and French Camp Vineyards
Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck
Review Beautiful blackcurrants, blackberries, roasted herbs, pepper, and some meaty notes all emerge from the 2018 El Martillo, a fleshy, full-bodied, sexy red that brings fruit and opulence while staying balanced and light on its feet… (made up of) 54% Syrah, 25% Petite Sirah, 13% Grenache, and 8% Viognier, it saw just 10% stems and spent 16 months in two-thirds new 500-liter French oak barrels. Its deeper, almost opaque purple color is followed by a Syrah-driven bouquet of ripe black (and some blue) fruits supported by ample pepper, violets, sappy herbs, and bay leaf-like aromas and flavors. Nicely textured and full-bodied, it has lots of tannins, notable purity, and a great finish.
Rating 94 pts
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Magnum 2012 True Believer Reserve
Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck Recently Re-Reviewed Still deep ruby/purple-hued with no bricking, it gives up a killer nose of spiced blackberries, ground pepper, leather, leafy herbs, and tapenade. Ripe, full-bodied, and sexy as all hell, it has a great mid-palate, ripe yet still present tannins, no hard edges, and a great finish. It's a true “wow” wine if there ever was one. Rating 99 points |
Library Wine Notes:
2018 Amphitheater North #3
In 2014 we made 2 versions of this wine (100% Syrah made from a steep vineyard on Bien Nacido planted in 2011). Although True Believer was founded as a Grenache-based program, I love growing, making, and drinking Syrah, and it’s no secret that this variety can excel at Bien Nacido. This wine was fermented with 50% “whole cluster”, drained directly into a new Gamba 500L puncheon and bottled unfined and unfiltered after aging in the cellar for 20 months.
Reviewed by Jeb Dunnack
Coming from Alban clone Syrah fermented with 50% stems, the 2018 Amphitheater North is a rocking, savory, cool-climate beauty that carries loads of black fruits, tapenade, ground pepper, and earth-like aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, pure, and balanced on the palate, with building tannins, it’s another remarkable effort from Chris Hammell that will benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and keep for a decade.
Rating 97 points
In 2014 we made 2 versions of this wine (100% Syrah made from a steep vineyard on Bien Nacido planted in 2011). Although True Believer was founded as a Grenache-based program, I love growing, making, and drinking Syrah, and it’s no secret that this variety can excel at Bien Nacido. This wine was fermented with 50% “whole cluster”, drained directly into a new Gamba 500L puncheon and bottled unfined and unfiltered after aging in the cellar for 20 months.
Reviewed by Jeb Dunnack
Coming from Alban clone Syrah fermented with 50% stems, the 2018 Amphitheater North is a rocking, savory, cool-climate beauty that carries loads of black fruits, tapenade, ground pepper, and earth-like aromas and flavors. Full-bodied, pure, and balanced on the palate, with building tannins, it’s another remarkable effort from Chris Hammell that will benefit from 2-4 years of bottle age and keep for a decade.
Rating 97 points
2017 True Believer Vineyard Cuvée 99
Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck
Review The 2017 Cuvee 99 checks in as 66% Grenache, 21% Syrah, 11% Mourvèdre, and the rest equal parts Viognier and Roussanne. It has a decidedly Rhône-like nose of ripe blackberries, currants, saddle leather, cured meats, lavender, and pepper. This carries to a medium to full-bodied, rich, sexy red that's just about overflowing with personality and character. It has some firmer tannins, but the balance here is terrific, it stays fresh and lively, and it’s just a savory, complex, complete wine that delivers the goods.
Rating 96 points
Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck
Review The 2017 Cuvee 99 checks in as 66% Grenache, 21% Syrah, 11% Mourvèdre, and the rest equal parts Viognier and Roussanne. It has a decidedly Rhône-like nose of ripe blackberries, currants, saddle leather, cured meats, lavender, and pepper. This carries to a medium to full-bodied, rich, sexy red that's just about overflowing with personality and character. It has some firmer tannins, but the balance here is terrific, it stays fresh and lively, and it’s just a savory, complex, complete wine that delivers the goods.
Rating 96 points
2017 True Believer Reserve
Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck
Review The 2017 Reserve is smoking good. Ample ripe berry fruits, ground pepper, bouquet garni, and loamy soil notes all define the bouquet, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a rich, layered texture, some classic 2017 firmer tannins, and a great finish. Again, it's absolutely loaded with character, and I'd be thrilled to have bottles in the cellar. It's going to evolve like a traditional Châteauneuf du Pape and have 10-15 years of prime drinking.
Rating 96 points
Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck
Review The 2017 Reserve is smoking good. Ample ripe berry fruits, ground pepper, bouquet garni, and loamy soil notes all define the bouquet, and it's medium to full-bodied, with a rich, layered texture, some classic 2017 firmer tannins, and a great finish. Again, it's absolutely loaded with character, and I'd be thrilled to have bottles in the cellar. It's going to evolve like a traditional Châteauneuf du Pape and have 10-15 years of prime drinking.
Rating 96 points
2016 Cuvée 99
Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck
Review Checking in as a blend of 75% Grenache, 14% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre, and the rest Viognier and Roussanne, the deep purple/plum-colored 2016 Cuvée 99 boasts big, meaty notes of red plums, ground pepper, violets, and spring flowers. Ripe, powerful, and concentrated, yet remarkably light on its feet and balanced, it has tons of meaty, spice nuances, ripe tannins, and a big finish. It's another smoking good wine from this estate. Drink it over the coming 10-15 years.
Rating 94+ points
Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck
Review Checking in as a blend of 75% Grenache, 14% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre, and the rest Viognier and Roussanne, the deep purple/plum-colored 2016 Cuvée 99 boasts big, meaty notes of red plums, ground pepper, violets, and spring flowers. Ripe, powerful, and concentrated, yet remarkably light on its feet and balanced, it has tons of meaty, spice nuances, ripe tannins, and a big finish. It's another smoking good wine from this estate. Drink it over the coming 10-15 years.
Rating 94+ points
2016 True Believer Reserve
Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck
Review A more Syrah-dominated cuvée that includes 53% Syrah, 36% Grenache, 9% Mourvèdre, and 2% Viognier. It's the deepest colored red in the lineup and boasts a brilliant perfume of blackberries, cured meats, toasted spice, scorched earth, and chocolate. Brilliantly textured, full-bodied, and massively concentrated, it stays elegant, lively, and perfectly balanced. It reminds me of a Syrah that John Alban might make. Drink it any time over the coming 15 years or more.
Rating 97 points
Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck
Review A more Syrah-dominated cuvée that includes 53% Syrah, 36% Grenache, 9% Mourvèdre, and 2% Viognier. It's the deepest colored red in the lineup and boasts a brilliant perfume of blackberries, cured meats, toasted spice, scorched earth, and chocolate. Brilliantly textured, full-bodied, and massively concentrated, it stays elegant, lively, and perfectly balanced. It reminds me of a Syrah that John Alban might make. Drink it any time over the coming 15 years or more.
Rating 97 points
2015 True Believer Reserve
Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck
Review The Grenache-dominated 2015 Syrah True Believer from Hammell is beautiful and one of the more elegant, nuanced wines I’ve tasted from him. Gorgeous blackcurrants, cedarwood, dried pepper, and subtle cured meat notes all flow to a full-boded, powerful, yet incredible elegant, nuanced wine that opens up beautifully with time in the glass. (I followed this bottle for 2 days.) With ultra-fine tannins, perfect balance, and a great finish, it's unquestionably a world class wine I wish I could pour for every reader.
Rating 96 points
Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck
Review The Grenache-dominated 2015 Syrah True Believer from Hammell is beautiful and one of the more elegant, nuanced wines I’ve tasted from him. Gorgeous blackcurrants, cedarwood, dried pepper, and subtle cured meat notes all flow to a full-boded, powerful, yet incredible elegant, nuanced wine that opens up beautifully with time in the glass. (I followed this bottle for 2 days.) With ultra-fine tannins, perfect balance, and a great finish, it's unquestionably a world class wine I wish I could pour for every reader.
Rating 96 points
2014 Amphitheater North #2
Also aged for 15 months in one new 500L Gamba barrel (Vosges), this wine was a stunner from the get-go. Slightly lower in alcohol than the #1, and fermented with 50% whole clusters, this wine is savory, dark, massively-concentrated, bone dry, and ready for the long-haul. If you do decide to open one soon, decant it for a half-day and let it warm up to about 65 degrees, F. It’s really good, but should be cellared.
Also aged for 15 months in one new 500L Gamba barrel (Vosges), this wine was a stunner from the get-go. Slightly lower in alcohol than the #1, and fermented with 50% whole clusters, this wine is savory, dark, massively-concentrated, bone dry, and ready for the long-haul. If you do decide to open one soon, decant it for a half-day and let it warm up to about 65 degrees, F. It’s really good, but should be cellared.
2014 Amphitheater North #1
Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck
Review Starting out, the smokin’ good 2014 Amphitheater North No. 1 is an inky colored Syrah that has overflowing notes of blackberries, smoked meats, licorice, graphite and pepper. Full-bodied, beautifully concentrated and layered, with stunning purity of fruit, it stays relatively compact and focused on the palate and has enough tannin and underlying structure to warrant 2-3 years of bottle age. Completely destemmed and aged 14 months in new French oak, and bottled unfiltered, this is a heavenly Syrah that will knock your socks off through 2026.
Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck
Review Starting out, the smokin’ good 2014 Amphitheater North No. 1 is an inky colored Syrah that has overflowing notes of blackberries, smoked meats, licorice, graphite and pepper. Full-bodied, beautifully concentrated and layered, with stunning purity of fruit, it stays relatively compact and focused on the palate and has enough tannin and underlying structure to warrant 2-3 years of bottle age. Completely destemmed and aged 14 months in new French oak, and bottled unfiltered, this is a heavenly Syrah that will knock your socks off through 2026.
2014 True Believer Reserve
Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck
Review A blend of 51% Grenache, 27% Syrah, 11% Mourvedre, 8% Petite Sirah and the rest Viognier and Roussanne. This deep ruby/purple colored beauty offers tons of ripe blackberry, currants, smoked herbs, pepper and melted licorice-like aromatics. Deep, sumptuous and decadent on the palate, with low acidity, it stays light on its feet and graceful, and certainly delivers loads of pleasure. Drink this blockbuster style beauty anytime over the coming decade or more.
Rating 97 points
Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck
Review A blend of 51% Grenache, 27% Syrah, 11% Mourvedre, 8% Petite Sirah and the rest Viognier and Roussanne. This deep ruby/purple colored beauty offers tons of ripe blackberry, currants, smoked herbs, pepper and melted licorice-like aromatics. Deep, sumptuous and decadent on the palate, with low acidity, it stays light on its feet and graceful, and certainly delivers loads of pleasure. Drink this blockbuster style beauty anytime over the coming decade or more.
Rating 97 points
2013 True Believer Reserve
Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck
Review Even better, and a blend of 56% Grenache, 23% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, 9% Petite Sirah and a splash of Viognier, the 2013 True Believer has off-the-hook notes of liquid blackberries, violets, fresh plums and crushed rocks to go with a fabulously pure, precise, ethereally textured and full-bodied style on the palate. Coming from the estate vineyard that is located just beside Bien Nacido, it was fermented with 20% whole clusters (everything was co-fermented), racked straight to barrel and aged 26 months in new French oak, before being bottled unfiltered. Hats off to winemaker Chris Hammell as this is up with some of the greatest Grenache blends I’ve tasted from California. It’s very hard to resist today, but will be better in 2-3 years and drink well for a decade after that.
Rating 98 points
Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck
Review Even better, and a blend of 56% Grenache, 23% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, 9% Petite Sirah and a splash of Viognier, the 2013 True Believer has off-the-hook notes of liquid blackberries, violets, fresh plums and crushed rocks to go with a fabulously pure, precise, ethereally textured and full-bodied style on the palate. Coming from the estate vineyard that is located just beside Bien Nacido, it was fermented with 20% whole clusters (everything was co-fermented), racked straight to barrel and aged 26 months in new French oak, before being bottled unfiltered. Hats off to winemaker Chris Hammell as this is up with some of the greatest Grenache blends I’ve tasted from California. It’s very hard to resist today, but will be better in 2-3 years and drink well for a decade after that.
Rating 98 points
2012 True Believer Reserve
Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck
First Review A big, voluptuous blend of 55% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre and the rest Petite Sirah that was brought up in all neutral oak, the 2012 True Believer sports a vibrant, semi-opaque ruby/purple color to go with terrific notes of black raspberries, cassis, crushed violets, licorice and peppered meats. Big, full-bodied, and voluptuous, yet also balanced, fresh, weightless and silky, this is up there with some of the greatest GSM blends coming out of the Central Coast today.
Rating 95 points
Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck
First Review A big, voluptuous blend of 55% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre and the rest Petite Sirah that was brought up in all neutral oak, the 2012 True Believer sports a vibrant, semi-opaque ruby/purple color to go with terrific notes of black raspberries, cassis, crushed violets, licorice and peppered meats. Big, full-bodied, and voluptuous, yet also balanced, fresh, weightless and silky, this is up there with some of the greatest GSM blends coming out of the Central Coast today.
Rating 95 points
2011 True Believer Reserve
Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck
Review The inaugural release from Hammell, the 2011 True Believer is a killer effort that shows what someone who watches yields and focuses on quality can do in a difficult vintage. A blend of 50% Grenache, 25% Syrah and 25% Mourvedre, it had the Grenache aged in neutral oak and the Syrah and Mourvedre aged in new and once used barrels. Its deep, ruby, semi-opaque color is followed by a sexy, voluptuous and still weightless and elegant red that gives up tons of black raspberries, kirsch, peppery spice, lavender, licorice and leather on the nose. Deep, rich and concentrated, with a rare level of depth in a Grenache blend from California, this gorgeous 2011 can be drunk anytime over the coming 7-8 years.
Bien Nacido’s rock-star vineyard manager, Chris Hammell, created his own label in 2011 and focuses mostly on Rhone varieties planted on the western edge of the Bien Nacido Vineyard. This is a warmer spot that is sheltered from the cool pacific winds and Chris is able to get incredible depth and concentration in his wines. I loved these wines from barrel last year and they didn’t disappoint from bottle this go around. In short, don’t miss these blockbuster efforts!
Rating 94 points
Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck
Review The inaugural release from Hammell, the 2011 True Believer is a killer effort that shows what someone who watches yields and focuses on quality can do in a difficult vintage. A blend of 50% Grenache, 25% Syrah and 25% Mourvedre, it had the Grenache aged in neutral oak and the Syrah and Mourvedre aged in new and once used barrels. Its deep, ruby, semi-opaque color is followed by a sexy, voluptuous and still weightless and elegant red that gives up tons of black raspberries, kirsch, peppery spice, lavender, licorice and leather on the nose. Deep, rich and concentrated, with a rare level of depth in a Grenache blend from California, this gorgeous 2011 can be drunk anytime over the coming 7-8 years.
Bien Nacido’s rock-star vineyard manager, Chris Hammell, created his own label in 2011 and focuses mostly on Rhone varieties planted on the western edge of the Bien Nacido Vineyard. This is a warmer spot that is sheltered from the cool pacific winds and Chris is able to get incredible depth and concentration in his wines. I loved these wines from barrel last year and they didn’t disappoint from bottle this go around. In short, don’t miss these blockbuster efforts!
Rating 94 points
Non-Vintage TB #1
Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck
Review A multi-vintage blend of 61% Grenache, 35% Syrah, and 4% Mourvèdre, the NV Non-Vintage Blend #1 reveals a ruby/plum color to go with a ripe, sexy bouquet of spiced plums, blackberries, toasted spice, beef blood, cedar, and ground pepper. Rich, beautifully textured, and with a savory, meaty style, it's a rocking blend from Hammell to enjoy over the coming 7-8 years or more.
Rating 93 points
Reviewed by Jeb Dunnuck
Review A multi-vintage blend of 61% Grenache, 35% Syrah, and 4% Mourvèdre, the NV Non-Vintage Blend #1 reveals a ruby/plum color to go with a ripe, sexy bouquet of spiced plums, blackberries, toasted spice, beef blood, cedar, and ground pepper. Rich, beautifully textured, and with a savory, meaty style, it's a rocking blend from Hammell to enjoy over the coming 7-8 years or more.
Rating 93 points
2018 Rosé of True Believer
From the True Believer Estate Vineyard and consisting of Grenache (71%), Syrah (16%), Mourvèdre (4%), Viognier (9%), the 2018 Rosé is fresh, exciting and so inviting. Grenache-based, aromatics are heightened by the relatively large percentage of Viognier. Since 2015 we’ve made this in a style that balances brightness and concentration. It’s all fermented in neutral barriques and aged for 5 months before being racked and bottled. Serve slightly chilled. Decanting recommended.
From the True Believer Estate Vineyard and consisting of Grenache (71%), Syrah (16%), Mourvèdre (4%), Viognier (9%), the 2018 Rosé is fresh, exciting and so inviting. Grenache-based, aromatics are heightened by the relatively large percentage of Viognier. Since 2015 we’ve made this in a style that balances brightness and concentration. It’s all fermented in neutral barriques and aged for 5 months before being racked and bottled. Serve slightly chilled. Decanting recommended.
2019 True Believer Vineyard Rose
The base of this wine is made from Grenache grapes picked at around 22 brix, whole-cluster pressed, and fermented in neutral barrels in a method somewhat similar to how many locals might make Chardonnay. To this base is added some riper juice (predominantly Grenache) that is “bled” from the red wine tanks prior to their “cold soak” and fermentation. This step occurs about two weeks later. Once fermentation is finished, the wine is sulfured and consolidated. This wine is unfiltered and drinking beautifully.
The base of this wine is made from Grenache grapes picked at around 22 brix, whole-cluster pressed, and fermented in neutral barrels in a method somewhat similar to how many locals might make Chardonnay. To this base is added some riper juice (predominantly Grenache) that is “bled” from the red wine tanks prior to their “cold soak” and fermentation. This step occurs about two weeks later. Once fermentation is finished, the wine is sulfured and consolidated. This wine is unfiltered and drinking beautifully.
