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. — 5 years ago
Amazing summer beverage to be enjoyed sipping solo with no food or company or with a group of people enjoying some seafood or veggie forward dishes. — 7 years ago
This one came home with me. As in, the whole case. I absolutely love this and think it might have to be my go-to summer beverage. Lovely bubbles, pure watermelon fruit, terrific mineral rich and bone dry. Love, love, love! — 7 years ago
Thanksgiving lunch beverage and it is lovely. — 8 years ago
$13 MacArthur beverage. Pretty drinkable. — a year ago
Lots of floral notes, and a little bigger body than I'd expect for PG. Tasty! — 6 years ago
Delicious coffee malty beverage. — 7 years ago
Only tried Virginia wine again on a recent trip to Charlottesville. Years ago Virginia wine might have been the punchline to a joke, but certainly not a drinkable beverage. Times have changed. This is a well made fruity low tannin red any winemaker in California would take pride in. I want more, but can’t get it here in Alabama 😢. — 7 years ago
Twas a peaceful day reading my emails when up pops 📬 @gabymeeetswine @vilaviniteca saying fine sir 👀 we have a rather delightful Priorat for your perusal @ €121 to which I said 🗣 Stick that fine beverage on back of ye olde Spanish bull pronto & stampede those fine juices to my way - Ole 🐂💨
📍 Clos Martinet 2005
🏵 96+ points - in a beautiful place now & should be drop dead gorgeous in 3-4 years 😉 Phwoor cone here bully bully bully 🐂 A proper nice Priorat 😍
🍇 Grenache, Carignan, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot
🍷 Deep dark ruby
👃 A gorgeous chocolate cherry & raspberry gateaux in a glass w/ crushed mineral sprinkles, a soft oak base, soggy earth sauce & a blackcurrant compote on the side
👄 Med body of deluxe silky creamy oozy dark cherry, blackcurrant & raspberry w/ a chocolate chaser & fine light dry minerals
🎯 Long mineral infused creamy chocolate cake filled with cherry, raspberry & blackcurrant
— 7 years ago
Never in my life have I encountered a beverage like this. This is truly like liquid stone and stone fruit skin in the absolute craziest way. I don’t really know what to do with it but I will be back for more if for none other than shear interest. Not a quaffing wine and by no means is this fun, this is the most serious wine I have ever encountered. Not sloppy and not flawed. Georgian shamanism at its most psychedelic. — 8 years ago
Really light, about the same abv as a modelo. I'd buy it more of it was cheaper, but it's a nice light flavor. — 4 years ago
Celebrating another publication this year, for a total of 13 pieces: 10 short stories and 3 installments of the beverage column, Liquid Carriage at No Contact.
Described to me by the owner and resident vino at Frankly in TriBeCa as an electric Chenin that changes over a few days from slightly bready to fresh and zippy to Burgundian-like.
I had to experience this chameleon of flavors.
Fresh Focaccia on the nose. Bready and boozy in the bouquet. Aromas of tropical fruit, papaya and lemongrass.
Super well balanced, fresh acid, nice RS, beautiful softness like rose petal mouthfeel.
Love this. So much. — 5 years ago
Very tasty light and not sugary Sauvignon Blanc! — 6 years ago
No makeup pretty wine. The beverage is purple as it’s label and also tastes purple-y if I may say so. There was surely some oak at play, something cocoa-y and a touch blackberry jammy. It’s a wine I’d take to a Cure concert. I don’t mean to drink. Just personality wise I feel like it would listen to the Cure. If only wine could dance. — 7 years ago



Norman
Back in Tokyo so have to try a Hoppy. Hoppy and shochu. It’s still not great ;) Coke Zero highball, Lemon Sour and Jasmine Tea Sour. — 10 months ago