Hannah Nicole Vineyards, Contra Costa County (California) 2019

 Admitting I have never heard of Hannah Nicole but the label caught my eye on a retail shelf.  Contra Costa is located east of San Francisco, a highly populated suburban area.  But it is well known to fans of Old Vine wines made from vineyards  in and around the town of Oakley.  It is also home to a dozen small wineries.  Most are like Hannah Nicole and market their wines locally and through membership.  Red Bordeaux grapes and a few Rhones account for most of Hannah Nicole’s 54 acres.  This Meritage is 45% Cabernet Sauvignon with a good dose of Merlot and Cabernet Franc.  The aroma evolves slowly highlighting cassis along with dried herbs, and the palate is well-structured with good concentration.  With rich, ripe fruit flavors in the mid-palate, it still needs some cellaring to tone down the moderate tannins.  It should peak in 2028 or so.