Wine of the Week | NV Austin Hope Troublemaker, Blend 3
January 12, 2012 at 20:17 85 points
NV Austin Hope, Troublemaker, Blend 3
Paso Robles, 14.5% alcohol, $18. 9900 cs. 55SR|20GR|20MV|05PS
This entry kicks off the official Wine of the Week for 2012 and it turns out a simple wine is all you need to make it through an equally simple midweek spaghetti/meatloaf/ roasted chicken kind of dinner. Austin Hope is a producer I am somewhat familiar with as they are always at Hospice du Rhone (HdR), in Paso Robles, yet I can’t recall ever sitting down with a sample of their wine. A single bottle arrived last week and it was ‘off the beam’ of what was going into issue two, so I saved it for later and popped it last night with some sesame chicken, and this little charmer fit the bill.
Troublemaker got its name after Austin, who was banished to do work in the vineyards as punishment when he was a kid. The only thing is, he enjoyed being around the vines. It is not known what type of escapades he cooked up that kept him out in the dirt but it was a great foundation for becoming a winemaker and he now oversees the Hope Family portfolio of five separate brands. Troublemaker is a non vintage blend of 40% 2009, and 60% 2010 that emphasizes optimal characteristics of both; complexity and vibrance.
The nose shows initial tight raspberry notes opening with air offering some bright rhubarb, supple raspberry and textured graphite. The palate brings a pretty nice focus of some slightly sweet cherry, brambly raspberry and spice moving through the mid-palate. Considering the vast sea of sameness in this price point (and much higher production), Troublemaker stands out as a well conceived brand offering the consumer excellent value. I think this would be a good candidate for a Stelvin capsule closure. Drink 2012 - 2014. www.hopefamilywines.com
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