2016 True Believer Reserve
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Tasting notes
Deep ruby-purple, flint and grilled meats open to autumnal scents of forest floor, autumn leaves, desiccated flowers, coffee beans and aniseed on the nose of the 2016 True Believer Reserve. The full-bodied palate is intense yet lifted, with juicy acidity accenting soaring floral character. It has pixelated tannins, pure flavors and a long, latent finish that hints at more to emerge as this unwinds in bottle.
Critic scores
Jeb Dunnuck
Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Lastly, the 2016 Reserve is a more Syrah-dominated cuvée that includes 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. These True Believer Wines from Chris Hammell were previously under the Hammell Wine Alliance label.