Austin Hope Cabernet Sauvignon

Deep ruby in colour, with aromas of fresh blackcurrants and cherries accompanied by subtle smoky notes and dried spices. On the palate this lavish powerful wine is layered with juicy blackberry, ripe cherry, vanilla bean and brown butter. It's full-bodied and rich, balanced by a touch of bright acidity and firm polished tannins. Named #7 in the Wine Enthusiast Top 100 Wines of 2020 and awarded 95 points.

Paso Robles is one of California's most pastoral domains. Its name roughly translates to "Passageway of Oaks" and indeed, majestic trees mark the landscape. Amongst the rolling hills and native habitat lie manicured vineyards, where the ideal soil exists for farming Cabernet Sauvignon. Dry warm conditions are typical, yet evenings are chilled by a breeze from the Pacific Ocean just 18 miles to the west, allowing fruit to ripen into luxurious richness.

After harvesting the grapes, select vineyard lots were fermented individually in stainless-steel tanks for 10-14 days. Extended macerations and carefully managed pump-overs enhanced the extraction of colour and tannin. The lots were aged separately for 11 months in a combination of 10% new, 25% once used and 65% two to three times used French oak. Through a combination of tasting and analytics our best lots were determined and the initial blend was assembled in late summer of 2019. As a whole this blend was aged an additional three months in 75% new and 25% once used French Oak. The wine was racked just twice during its cellar life with the final racking occurring just prior to bottling.