Troublemaker Paso Robles Red Rhone Blend

The 11th iteration of Austin Hope's Troublemaker... a Central Coast, quasi-Rhone, kitchen sink blend (57% Syrah, 15% Grenache, 11% Petite Sirah, 10% Mourvèdre, 7% Zinfandel). It's hard not to compare this to something like Marietta's Old Vine Red, especially since it's released by version or lot, and not vintage, as it's a multi-vintage blend. This is noticeably darker and sweeter than my experiences with the Old Vine Red. The Syrah is immediately evident with a dominant smoked-meat characteristic, along with blackberry compote, and a chocolate milkshake note that bares a noticeable resemblance to a Wendy's frosty. Rather straightforward, and pushes the boundaries of gratuitous sweetness, but avoids being cloying. This is probably an exceptional selection to pull at the end of tasting lots of better bottles when no tasting notes will be written or even discussed and especially when you have no business opening something really good.

Austin Hope blend of Syrah Grenache Mourvèdre and Zin. Big, bold, jammy and complex.

Backbone and heavy, but not jammy. Spiciness comes from this prefominantly Syrah based blend. Dig it!! $15 / 90pts Youngs206

Raisins and dark chocolate. Cough syrup.

Dark ruby hue with high saturation. Aromas and flavors of blackberry jam, blueberry, cream, oak, plum, raspberry, and vanilla, with a hint of sage. Full body, medium-heavy tannins, and medium acidity. Bold, fruit-forward, and easygoing.

Full bodied, plummy. Rich. Chocolate notes open up and the sweet borders on savory. Good value wine.

Smooth wine with sort of a bland flavor.

Very surprising wine. Very unique... Smoke? Strong? Need to revisit.

Very coffee-like on the nose. Fruity. Couldn't get past the smoke or coffee.

Strong chocolate taste for this full bodied wine.