True Believer Wines, Santa Maria Valley (Central Coast, California) Red Wine “Cuvée 99” 2017 ($60)

Feb 5, 2025

By Miranda Franco
Wine label

True Believer is a small label from Chris Hammell, longtime manager of the legendary Bien Nacido Vineyard. After 20 years of working with top wineries like Sine Qua Non and Au Bon Climat, Chris focused on a steep hillside across from Bien Nacido’s best blocks. This passion project features high-density vines planted on a near-vertical slope, farmed by hand. The result is the 2017 Cuvée 99, a bold blend of predominantly Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. It offers intense dark fruit, savory notes of bacon fat, black pepper, and leather, with remarkable balance, distinct tannins, and bursts of vibrant acidity that accentuate a spice-filled, lingering finish.
94 Miranda Franco

Country / Region

Central Coast, California

Appellation

Santa Maria Valley

Grape Variety

Color

Red

Vintage

2017

Score

94

Price

US $ 60

Producer

True Believer Wines