2021 Austin Hope Cabernet

I had a bottle of today’s wine last week with a few friends with great palates who love hardcore Napa Cabernet.  After a couple of glasses, one friend looked at the whole table and said “Has anyone had Austin Hope?  It’s a Caymus Clone.  I bet you that if I pour you Caymus and Austin Hope side by side, you would not be able to tell the difference.”  All eyes turned to me.  I accepted the challenge, but I could never have anticipated the result.  This wine, Austin Hope 2021 Cabernet, was Caymus.  The richness, the roundness, the unmistakable finish and aftertaste.  I immediately pulled out my phone and ordered everything I could.  When I saw the price, I nearly fell back in my chair.  This wine is $30 less a bottle than Caymus!  How have I never had this wine before?!  I am very excited to be able to offer this to our customers.  If you love Caymus, and want to share my story, get on this wine.  It has an incredibly loyal following so with the quantity I have available, it will sell out in lightning speed.  Perfect for the holiday season and colder months ahead.  Enjoy!

The winemaker is Austin Hope, who is a pioneer of Paso Robles, one of the great untouched wine regions of California.  Austin’s father, Chuck Hope, moved the family to Paso Robles in 1978 and planted grapes and apples.  They did not start making wine until the mid-90’s when the business transitioned from vineyard growing to winemaking.  At that time, Austin took over the Liberty School brand from Caymus Vineyards.  Chuck Wagner is a long time mentor to Austin, and originally purchased fruit from him to make Liberty School.  The flagship of Hope Family Wines is the Austin Hope Cabernet, and once you taste this wine, you will understand why I was so shocked.