Winemaker Notes
Opening with a deep ruby robe in color, the wine unveils a contemplative nose of red cherry, blackberry and blueberry tightly woven with a floral and savory character of lavender, sage, crushed rock and iron. Underlaid with a confidence of restraint, the wine is sleek and vertical with impressive persistence building elegantly across the palate. It finishes with saturated and refined tannin that resonates with a distinct and complex mineral vein that is characteristic of fractured basalt.
Blend: 74% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Cabernet Franc
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2018 Nuns Canyon is a blend of 74% Cabernet Sauvignon and 26% Cabernet Franc from Hamel Family's Nuns Canyon Vineyard, and it was matured for 20 months in 36% new French oak barrels. It takes significant time in the glass to begin to reveal its aromas of Morello cherries, thyme and cedar, but the palate is already wonderfully balanced. It boasts concentrated flavors, abundant, powdery tannins and refreshing acidity, with haunting graphite and floral character defining the long finish. This will require at least 3-5 years in bottle to begin to unwind.
Rating:96+ -
Wine Enthusiast
From an estate site at high elevation, this wine is rich and supple in brawny leather, crushed rock and perfumed violet and lavender. Balanced and complex in concentrated waves of great structure and grace, it will coalesce further in the cellar. Enjoy best from 2028–2033.
Cellar Selection -
Wine Spectator
This distinctive version sports an edgy side, with briary grip to the mix of blackberry, bitter plum and black currant paste flavors. Lots of licorice root, alder and savory accents drive in on the finish, adding range and energy. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2024 through 2036. 1,300 cases made.
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
Covering the western slopes of the Mayacamas Mountains, facing the city of Sonoma, Moon Mountain District is one of Sonoma’s newest sub-appellations. Here the well-drained, red volcanic and ash soils produce hauntingly intense red wines, mainly from Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon and other Bordeaux varieties.