Chris Hamilton Red Blend Napa Valley 2021

Some might say that Chris Hamilton’s career as a vintner was a matter of luck. However, as the old quote goes, “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.” Chris’s fascination with Napa Valley and his time spent building relationships with favorite winery owners and growers count towards preparation. The opportunity presented itself via one of those treasured connections with Napa veteran and established grower Andy Hoxsey. The Napa Wine Company owner, whose family has farmed grapes in the valley for over 100 years, had long tried to jokingly talk Chris out of starting a wine brand. But Chris’s mind was made up, so when a contract opened for his highly coveted grapes, Andy pushed Chris to the front of the line and granted him the fruit.

While Chris appreciates the finer things in life and is an avid Napa Valley Cabernet collector, one of his favorite pastimes has been discovering the best value wines of our tiny region. Sounds like Chris and ACME have a lot in common. Therefore, it was important that his own brand, Chris Hamilton Cellars, reflected that ethos. You would be hard-pressed to find another producer in the valley crafting wines from vineyards of such high caliber with a price tag below $50, making Chris Hamilton an affordable luxury. The 2021 Red Blend is sourced solely from the Block House vineyard in Yountville. Block House is considered the first vineyard site in all of Napa and was originally planted in 1838 by the same George Yount who bestowed his name upon the town and appellation.

In an ode to the Right Bank Bordeaux blends, the 2021 Red Blend is predominately Merlot (68%), with touches of Cabernet Sauvignon (15%), Cabernet Franc (12%) and Malbec (5%). The drought conditions of the vintage resulted in low yields of powerfully concentrated berries that packed a punch. After hand-harvesting in September and undergoing fermentation, the wine aged in neutral French oak barrels for 18 months. “A nose of fresh strawberries, black cherries, cocoa powder, lilacs, and savory minerals lead into unctuous layers of cassis, raspberries, pomegranate, and wet earth. The mid-palate is bright and expressive, full of fresh berries and exotic spices, all leading to a soft and plush finish that rounds out into perfect form.”