1978 Chuck Hope left beverage job, moved to Paso Robles, became farmer, & top grape grower. Working with his father, Austin led family into winemaking in ‘95, creating his label in 2000. #7 on Top 100 list, Grapes from 5 small blocks of Paso Robles AVAs, aged in 75% new French oak, 18 mos. Dark deep Ruby, aromas of sweet ripe black fruits & dried smoky tobacco spices. Flavors of ripe blackberry, sweet cacao, espresso & vanilla oak. Big wine, fine tannins, long fruit finish, vanilla overwhelms fruit. The 15% ABV has slight burn. — 4 years ago
Vintage 2016 | cardinal red with slight brown rim, true to type Bordeaux smell, cedar, plums, blackberries, very vibrant taste with lovely acidity, long aftertaste, I am fond of Fronsac, in between gentleman farmer and nobility. | Paired with a cabbage stew and deer meatballs — 4 years ago
Drank with a farmer in Kenya, his eyes lit up. We are talking smallholder value. Perfect bottle for the moment. — 4 months ago
Simply delicious Burg! Light colored. Intriguing and attractive nose of forest floor red berries and an interesting mysterious note of woodsy perfume of some kind carrying through to a liveliness and dancing texture. More pure pleasure than the complexity and depth folks chase after. Excellent finish to cap it off. Hard to find. Hopefully another bottle left. Yum. What a GL 29 buy back then! A traditionally made wine, 50 barrels with no sulfur. Gardener than farmer as DR says! — 4 years ago
Rustic, farmer wine. Loved it. — 4 years ago
Quite nice with Farmer John baked ham ($20) — a year ago
Nose has barnyard blackberries, black leather jacket, ripe plum, (light) cedar box, poached plum, mashed tart cherry and slight alcohol.
Palate has warmed plum, boysenberry, blackberry, dried citrus pith, scorched earth and very drying to the palate, like it's removing all the moisture from your mouth. This bottle had been constantly evolving all night, up and down traits with quite varied experiences with my tasting companions this evening.
Decanted 8h before tasting, likely would appreciate even more time. Future bottles can be 2025+.
Perfect pair to homemade burgers from a local farmer in Columbia Co. NY (Kinderhook Farm), cooked to a beautiful medium-rare served on toasted brioche burger rolls. — 5 years ago
Jeremiah Diaz
Medium ruby in color; cherries, raspberries, and tabacco on the nose; high acidity; medium plus tannins; tastes like tart cherries, red currants, and wet slate with a long finish. I like it. Nellie says it's ok. — a month ago