2018 Denier Handal Cabernet Sauvignon, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
If you grow good fruit then your wine will be delicious. The winemaker helps the fruit speak but is not the storyteller. Cabernet from this small Dry Creek Valley vineyard is a delicious example of why it’s good to care and nurture your grapes to perfect ripeness. This wine has aged well and the flavors are just now, six years later, truly shining.
Tasting Notes
Deep luscious black fruits shine alongside hints of cocoa, spices including black pepper and tobacco. This is a deep rich velvety wine that has aged quite well. Enjoy it with roast meats, hearty vegetable dishes and full flavored aged cheeses.
Specs
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Farming: Dry Creek Valley
Terroir: soils of rocky, medium clay
Harvest dates: October 1, 2018
In the Cellar: Fermentation in open top tanks with manual punch down 2-4 times a day
Fermentation: 3 day cold soak followed by 5-day active fermentation.
Oak Regimen: Aged in new and 2 year old French oak barrels for 19 months.
Alcohol: 14.2%
pH: 3.24
Residual Sugar: Less than 0.1%
Bottled Date: June 2020
Release Date: September 2024
Winemakers: Lucas Meeker & Dick Handal
2018 Denier Handal Petite Sirah, Mendocino
Our 2018 Denier-Handal Petite Sirah is a full bodied, deep purple inky well-balanced wine that exhibits the best varietal characteristics of Petite Sirah. Great fruit concentration for such a tannic wine, deep blackberry and raspberry notes. We found the layers of flavor impressive and very typical of Petite Sirah. The lower sugar at harvest is a good thing and really helped build the flavors of the wine. Full bodied but not heavy, floral and fruity with a long finish. This is great now and will age for years to come.
Farming
These grapes are organically grown and dry farmed on soils of rocky, medium clay. It is the dry farming that brings intensity to this beautiful wine.
Specs
Varietal: 100% Petite Sirah
Appellation: Venturi Family Vineyards, Calpella, CA Mendocino
Harvest dates: October 2018
In the Cellar: Cold soaked then fermented in open topped tanks with manual punch downs daily
Aged 25 months in new and neutral American and French Barrels
Alcohol: 14.8%
pH: 3.24
Residual Sugar: Less than 0.1%
Bottled Date: September 2020 . Unfined with a light filtration
Winemakers: Lucas Meeker, Dick Handal and David Noyes, consulting winemaker
2021 Denier Handal Sangiovese, Venturi Family Vineyards, Calpella, Mendocino County
Sangiovese is the main grape variety found in Chianti Classico. This wine is a medium-bodied high acid wine with fruity notes. Our Sangiovese boasts qualities similar to Italian Sangiovese. The color is ruby velvet. Aromas of lilac, roses and cooked plum. Flavors of raspberries, blueberries, light spice and hints of earth. This wine pairs well with porchetta, softer cheeses like young pecorino and buffalo camembert. Sangiovese also holds up to cooked puddings like Panna Cotta especially if it is served with a huckleberry sauce.
Specs
Varietal: 100% Sangiovese
Appellation: Mendocino County
Harvest dates: September 2021
Farming: These grapes are organically grown and dry farmed on soils of rocky, medium clay. It is the dry farming that brings the intensity to this beautiful wine.
In the Cellar: 5 days cold soak. Active fermentation 5 days.
Alcohol: 13.9%
pH: 3.24
Residual Sugar: Less than 0.1%
Bottled Date: October 2025
Release Date: December 2026
Winemakers: Dick Handal & Lucas Meeker
2022 Denier Handal Dolcetto, Russian River Valley
Taking a hint from a longtime friend and peer, Dick Handal decided to purchase the Dolcetto from this vineyard because he had tasted delicious wines made from this fruit. He liked the option to be able to blend this into wines like the 2020 Family Blend, make a rose of it and decided to make the Dolcetto on its own. The aroma is light and fruity, the color is a soft supple ruby and the flavors are bright, fruit, red & black plum, spice and earth.
It is a great young wine that will age well. It’s easy to drink, pairs well with various dishes including cheeses and desserts.
Harvest notes
Dolcetto came from a vineyard in Russian River Valley just south of Healdsburg. The vineyard sits along the Russian River and the soil is medium sand/rocky clay. The vineyard gets the benefit of being near the river, warm days and cool evenings/mornings.
Specs
Varietal: 100% Dolcetto
AVA: Russian River Valley
Harvest dates: September 2022
In the Cellar: Fermentation in open top tanks with manual punch down 2 - 4 times a day
Length of time in fermentor: 7 days
Oak Regimen: Aged in 2-year-old French oak barrels for 20 months
Bottled Date: September 2025
Release Date: September 2026
Alcohol: 14%
PH: 3.78
Residual Sugar: Less than 0.1%
Production: 50 cases
Winemakers: Dick Handal, Lucas Meeker
What’s Included
6-bottles:
2x - 2018 Denier Handal Cabernet Sauvignon, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
2x - 2018 Denier Handal Petite Sirah, Mendocino
1x - 2021 Denier Handal Sangiovese, Venturi Family Vineyards, Calpella, Mendocino County
1x - 2022 Denier Handal Dolcetto, Russian River Valley
Case:
4x - 2018 Denier Handal Cabernet Sauvignon, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
4x - 2018 Denier Handal Petite Sirah, Mendocino
2x - 2021 Denier Handal Sangiovese, Venturi Family Vineyards, Calpella, Mendocino County
2x - 2022 Denier Handal Dolcetto, Russian River Valley
Price Comparison
not for sale on winery website, $384/case MSRP
Denier Handal
For over twenty years we were primarily grape growers selling our premium grapes to some of the best wineries in Sonoma and Napa counties with whom we have long standing relationships. One of our client-wineries was Wellington Vineyards in Glen Ellen owned by the Wellington family of Sonoma. Peter Wellington, owner-winemaker, produced award-winning, vineyard specific Cabernet Sauvignons, including one from our Dry Creek Vineyard. Peter Wellington helped us develop and make our wines. We grew and produced boutique lots of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Sagrantino, and Zinfandel at the Wellington facility in Glen Ellen. Currently we produce our selection of wines at Meeker Winery custom crush facility in Healdsburg.
Though no longer farmers, we source grapes from our farming colleagues in the counties throughout California that follow high standards that include organic practices and support sustainability. These farming relationships ensure that our grapes will continue to produce award winning premium wines. We make single varietal wine as well as award winning blends.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, TX, VA, WA, WI
2018 Denier Handal Cabernet Sauvignon, Dry Creek Valley
I was excited again to be chosen a a lab rat. When I got the bottle, I knew I was in for a treat since it was a roughly 8 year old, 2018 Denier Handel Cabernet Sauvignon.
PNP - Deep purple. Noticed a bit of sediment in the neck of the bottle after pulling the cork, but suprisingly, none in the pour or any of the subsequent glasses. Dark fruit on the nose. Soft acidity, grippy tannins, dry, and alcohol was warm, not overpowering. Seemed incredibly well balanced. Got some juicy black fruit. Wife said she detected apricot, which is the first time she’s given specific feedback when we’ve tasted, so that alone was impressive! She really enjoyed it.
Didn’t get to try it the next day due to attending a late wedding, so the next taste was 2 days later (tonight). This time, I got the same dark fruit but this time with some tobacco/leather. Still pleasant to drink, but I feel the first day may have been better.
Definitely drinks like a pricier wine. I did a little search on this after tasting and came across a Casemates offering last year for this and a 2019. I was honestly shocked at the price point! And being the same vineyard that Wellington used to produce their stuff was impressive.
Seeing the offer this time for 4 different varietals at a great price point, I’m curious to see the rattage for the other bottles. I can say, if the offer was for a case of this one, it’d for sure be a no brainer auto buy in my book… I hope the other rattage is positive so I have an excuse to get a case. Might just end up with another case of wine at the office since I’m out of space (or hiding spots) at the house, lol.
I am happy to get a chance to Rat again and was very happy when I opened the box to see a bottle of 2018 Denier Handal Petite Sirah! As I opened the bottle and pulled out the cork, there was quite a bit of sediment stuck to the bottom, so I thought it best to decant the wine. Before I decanted I did a quick bottle sniff just to give some first impressions. I smelled a bit of plummy cherry with hints of sugar and a little bit of mustiness (in a good way). I decanted through a filter to catch the sediment did another sniff and I got a nice cherry cola bouquet with something I’m going to describe as warm wood and not as much sugar floating up.
The color was such a beautiful jewel-toned ruby once I got it into a glass and had nice depth. First sip was very high in tannins, my tongue became immediately dry and it had a quick and clean finish. Any sweetness I smelled was not present on the taste buds at all, but it wasn’t overly harsh. The cherry cola and plum came through easily and there was some great flavors that lingered on the tongue. I would probably describe this as a lighter red wine, but it really packs a punch! I just so happened to have made some chili the night before and I was not sure at first that this wine would be a good match, but this initial taste quickly changed my mind! It worked very well at cleansing the pallet after each bite and the chili even helped to bring out more of the sweetness of the wine. This wine would pair well with heavier/richer meals and would probably work well with all the heavy holiday meals coming up. Overall, I think this is a good buy and now that I see the bundle I’m having a hard time resisting ordering myself!
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations)
Denier Handal Mixed Reds - $35 = 17.50%
RWS, the '18 cab, offered last January… The 2018 Denier-Handal Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon opens with a lovely aroma of black cherry, a little spice and balsamic plus some black pepper, cigar box and more. Everything has integrated wonderfully and harmoniously with age. It’s a fantastic start.
It’s not often you can get a wine this good already aged to perfection! Featuring similar flavors to nose, this is smooth, juicy and extremely delicious.
It ends dry, very long and grippy on the still vibrant finish with lots of complex, lingering notes. It was just as good on day 2.
RWS also mentions this was a Gold Medal Winner at the 2025 Sonoma County Harvest Fair,
Denier Handal Mixed Reds
2018 Denier Handal Cabernet Sauvignon, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Tasting Notes
Specs
2018 Denier Handal Petite Sirah, Mendocino
Farming
Specs
2021 Denier Handal Sangiovese, Venturi Family Vineyards, Calpella, Mendocino County
Specs
2022 Denier Handal Dolcetto, Russian River Valley
Harvest notes
Specs
What’s Included
6-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
not for sale on winery website, $384/case MSRP
Denier Handal
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, TX, VA, WA, WI
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Nov 30 - Tuesday, Dec 1
Denier Handal Mixed Reds
6 bottles for $99.99 $16.67/bottle + $1.33/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $164.99 $13.75/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2018 Denier Handal Cabernet Sauvignon, Dry Creek Valley
2018 Denier Handal Petite Sirah, Mendocino
2021 Denier Handal Sangiovese, Venturi Family Vineyards
2022 Denier Handal Dolcetto
2018 Denier Handal Cabernet Sauvignon, Dry Creek Valley
I was excited again to be chosen a a lab rat. When I got the bottle, I knew I was in for a treat since it was a roughly 8 year old, 2018 Denier Handel Cabernet Sauvignon.
PNP - Deep purple. Noticed a bit of sediment in the neck of the bottle after pulling the cork, but suprisingly, none in the pour or any of the subsequent glasses. Dark fruit on the nose. Soft acidity, grippy tannins, dry, and alcohol was warm, not overpowering. Seemed incredibly well balanced. Got some juicy black fruit. Wife said she detected apricot, which is the first time she’s given specific feedback when we’ve tasted, so that alone was impressive! She really enjoyed it.
Didn’t get to try it the next day due to attending a late wedding, so the next taste was 2 days later (tonight). This time, I got the same dark fruit but this time with some tobacco/leather. Still pleasant to drink, but I feel the first day may have been better.
Definitely drinks like a pricier wine. I did a little search on this after tasting and came across a Casemates offering last year for this and a 2019. I was honestly shocked at the price point! And being the same vineyard that Wellington used to produce their stuff was impressive.
Seeing the offer this time for 4 different varietals at a great price point, I’m curious to see the rattage for the other bottles. I can say, if the offer was for a case of this one, it’d for sure be a no brainer auto buy in my book… I hope the other rattage is positive so I have an excuse to get a case. Might just end up with another case of wine at the office since I’m out of space (or hiding spots) at the house, lol.
No WY?
2018 Denier Handal Petite Sirah
I am happy to get a chance to Rat again and was very happy when I opened the box to see a bottle of 2018 Denier Handal Petite Sirah! As I opened the bottle and pulled out the cork, there was quite a bit of sediment stuck to the bottom, so I thought it best to decant the wine. Before I decanted I did a quick bottle sniff just to give some first impressions. I smelled a bit of plummy cherry with hints of sugar and a little bit of mustiness (in a good way). I decanted through a filter to catch the sediment did another sniff and I got a nice cherry cola bouquet with something I’m going to describe as warm wood and not as much sugar floating up.
The color was such a beautiful jewel-toned ruby once I got it into a glass and had nice depth. First sip was very high in tannins, my tongue became immediately dry and it had a quick and clean finish. Any sweetness I smelled was not present on the taste buds at all, but it wasn’t overly harsh. The cherry cola and plum came through easily and there was some great flavors that lingered on the tongue. I would probably describe this as a lighter red wine, but it really packs a punch! I just so happened to have made some chili the night before and I was not sure at first that this wine would be a good match, but this initial taste quickly changed my mind! It worked very well at cleansing the pallet after each bite and the chili even helped to bring out more of the sweetness of the wine. This wine would pair well with heavier/richer meals and would probably work well with all the heavy holiday meals coming up. Overall, I think this is a good buy and now that I see the bundle I’m having a hard time resisting ordering myself!
@scenicready looks like might be tartrate crystals on the cork
tartrate crystals
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations)
Denier Handal Mixed Reds - $35 = 17.50%
RWS, the '18 cab, offered last January… The 2018 Denier-Handal Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon opens with a lovely aroma of black cherry, a little spice and balsamic plus some black pepper, cigar box and more. Everything has integrated wonderfully and harmoniously with age. It’s a fantastic start.
It’s not often you can get a wine this good already aged to perfection! Featuring similar flavors to nose, this is smooth, juicy and extremely delicious.
It ends dry, very long and grippy on the still vibrant finish with lots of complex, lingering notes. It was just as good on day 2.
RWS also mentions this was a Gold Medal Winner at the 2025 Sonoma County Harvest Fair,
Also the cab was offered here March 2025
fwiw
