29602 Mon May 31 03:57:02 -0700 2004 5 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 125626 Friday afternoon as I headed north from Petaluma I got to thinking I wanted a spot o’ wine to wind down the day. Taking Stony Point Road up to the Gravenstein Highway and then east on Highway 12, I pulled up to Appellations in Sebastopol to see if it might have re-opened yet. No luck, a sign by the entrance says it’s still closed except for private events. Detouring on the Old Redwood Highway, the parking lot at Willi’s Wine Bar in Santa Rosa was jam packed, so I passed it by. By now winery tasting rooms had already closed, where to find a little wine? Then I remembered that Oakville Grocery in Healdsburg features local wineries on Fridays in the summertime for complimentary tastings on the patio and headed in that direction. Walking up to the store, I broke out into a wide smile when I recognized the winemaker. I’d hit pay dirt again – Kevin Hamel was pouring tonight. Hamel Syrah has been one of my favorites since trying his 1994 vintage. The 2002 “Campbell Ranch” Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is his first release with this variety. Hamel contracts for two acres of this new 16-acre vineyard in Annapolis. This was the vines’ third leaf and showed some nice character for such young ‘uns. A vibrant nose of pure and direct raspberry and black cherry fruit, in the mouth silky tannins and good acid balance and just a hint of oak tones in the background. No new barriques were used, only 1 year old and older, allowing the delicate fruit to soar. Not that complex, but it hits a nice chord. This Pinot is carefully made and a good first effort. The 2001 Sonoma County Syrah, made from a blend of southern Dry Creek Valley and Russian River Valley sites, is much more structured and backward than prior releases. Held back for additional bottle age, it is still pretty edgy with a strong cut of acidity and sinewy tannins and would benefit from a year or two more in the cellar. While not integrated and tamed yet, the firm structure is in balance with the well-defined red and black fruit layered with violets, sweet spices, and truffled nuances. The wine has excellent length and persistence and just needs time to flesh out. Both offerings are priced under $30 at Oakville Grocery, and can probably be purchased for less from discounters. Certainly not inexpensive, but fairly priced for the quality presented, in fact, positioned rather humbly in the California wine market. I’m going to have to remember to head home a little earlier on Fridays to catch the summer tasting series at Oakville. Link: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/24664#96754 Mon May 31 03:57:02 -0700 2004 0 Melanie Wong 1 125638 I appreciate the note alerting us to the FREE tastings at Oakville, but wish to politely point out that it is OAKVILLE GROCERY which is offering the COMPLIMENTARY tasting of some wines. As one who likes to support small, independant businesses, I find it disappointing when people are willing to take advantage of these places but suggest lower priced alternatives as though the "full service" store are charging dishonest prices. I know I can buy all sorts of foods and wines cheaper if I look hard enough. But I value my time. And I value the service of the places I patronize. If I take advantage of a place where I routinely taste a lot of wines and then go buy the wines elsewhere (and the "cheaper" places or so-called "discounters" are not always less costly), my wine merchant stores will go out of business. Mon May 31 10:49:16 -0700 2004 125626 0 John Page 2 125660 You're right, I did Oakville Grocery a disservice by suggesting that the wines could be purchased elsewhere and should have shown more respect for my host. That's not meant to imply that Oakville's prices are "dishonest" in any way. Bear in mind that the readership of this board is international in scope and that most chowhounds will find it more convenient, and in some cases cheaper, to purchase Hamel wines in their own locale rather than making their way to Healdsburg or having an order shipped. I benefited from the hospitality personally, but most reading along will not. Also, this is my THIRD annual post on the wine tastings at Oakville Grocery in Healdsburg, in addition to numerous miscellaneous mentions of other aspects and merchandise in this store, so I can hardly be accused of not supporting a local business. That said, are you certain that it is Oakville that is providing the complimentary tasting? Yes, it is their premise, but in most stores or restaurants, the wines for these tastings are samples provided by the producer. Also, in the State of California wine retailers are prohibited from providing free tastings except in very limited circumstances. But their status as a food service establishment might allow more leeway in this. I'm not in either business so don't know the licensing ins and outs myself. Mon May 31 14:56:47 -0700 2004 125638 0 Melanie Wong 2 125668 a quick internet search yielded very few places to purchase hamel wines---indeed, maybe oakville market has cornered the market. rich Mon May 31 17:44:59 -0700 2004 125638 0 rich 1 125647 Coincidentally, I opened a '95 Hamel RRV Syrah Friday evening. Quite delicious. While it didn't taste young, it did seem like it could last for years. Well, not that bottle, but the unopened ones in the cellar (g). Even as I pulled it to open I was thinking that I've kind of forgotten about Hamel and never notice it in retail shops. Glad to know he's still out there -- somewhere. Hope he hasn't changed the plainest label in the business. thanks for the update. Mon May 31 13:02:43 -0700 2004 125626 0 SteveT 2 125661 Yep, the label is still plain black and white. Only a few hundred cases are produced, so not widely distributed. Maybe Oakville Grocery has cornered the market. (g) Mon May 31 14:59:18 -0700 2004 125647 0 Melanie Wong