Deep ruby color; blueberry, cherry, blackberry, redcurrant, raspberry, oak, vanilla, leather on the nose and palate.
Dry; amiable tannins and acidity. Medium body. Classic easy-drinking, middle-shelf ($14) California cab. Sensation of hint of sweetness from very ripe grapes. Smooth, easy drinker. No complexity, depth, or significant length, but easily approachable. 14.5% ABV
Hahn Family Wines is family-owned and operated. Founders Nicky and Gaby Hahn came to the Santa Lucia Highlands in the late 1970s. The Swiss-born couple soon recognized the region’s potential for quality wines. Nicky Hahn said in 1988: “We all produce world class fruit from well managed vineyards. We deserve therefore our own recognition with our own premium price and marketable exciting appellation that wine writers can discover, laud and praise.”
The couple purchased Smith & Hook Vineyards, planted exclusively in cabernet sauvignon, in 1979. They released their first Smith & Hook cab the following year. In 1990, the Hahns realized Santa Lucia was better suited for cooler climate grapes—pinot noir and chardonnay. In 1991, Santa Lucia Highlands was awarded AVA status after heavy lobbying by Nicky. The Hahns continued to obtain Santa Lucia Highlands vineyards throughout the 1990s. They also opened a visitor center, the the Hahn Carmel tasting room in 2017.
In 2007, the Hahns turned over management of their operation to Philip Hahn after he had an eight-year career on Wall Street. Philip is the chairman today. Founder Nicolaus “Nicky” Hahn passed away in 2018. Co-founder Gaby Hahn earned law degrees in both Germany and France before focusing on wine; she pursues art appreciation and her own artistic efforts today. Hahn daughter, Caroline, holds a PhD in veterinary medicine from the University of Edinburgh and serves as an ambassador for Hahn Family Wines.
Many of Hahn’s wines—the Appellation Series—are sourced from the Hahn estate vineyards in the Arroyo Seco appellation of Monterey County. Likely, some of the grapes in this effort came from those blocks, but the California designation means Hahn sourced from other producers. That is a common practice, especially for wines in this price range. It also demonstrates California produces a cornucopia of quality cab grapes.
Hahn Family Wines Cabernet Sauvignon, California 2022 is classic tasty easy-drinking California cab at a fun weekday sipper price. Good, ripe, smooth fruit. Hahn is notable for dependable quality in the lower mid-level price range. This easily maintains that reputation. Pair with comfort foods—cheese burger, meatloaf, beef stew, pot roast, slow-cooked brisket, grilled cheese sandwich, pasta with tomato sauce, mac and cheese. Grilled, roasted steak; beef short ribs, braised beef; grilled lamb with rosemary; baby back ribs. Cheese—aged cheddar, sharp cheddar, aged gouda, gruyère, gogonzola; avoid young, soft goat cheese; brie, camembert. $14
