Nose
Warm aromas of blueberries, roasted coffee, burnt toffee, cocoa and dried baking spices.
Palate
Layers of fine dusty tannins are met with earthy tones, toasted cloves, creamy vanilla and a touch of bright red fruit capped by an epic firm structure.
Growing Conditions
The 2017 vintage began with reasonable weather throughout bloom and set. During the sizing phase, we experienced very warm weather that affected berry growth on many varietals.
Harvest
In mid-September, while harvest slowed due to moderate temperatures, the prolonged ripening period maintained vine balance and higher fruit quality. Overall, the 2017 vintage delivered yields slightly below normal while upholding our desired fruit characteristics & quality.
Bottling
Fall 2019
Winemaking
The making of Austin Hope Reserve Cabernet begins with small lot fermentations separated by individual vineyard blocks which receive daily pump-overs for maximum extraction. These lots are constantly supervised, tasted & analyzed for tannin and anthocyanins in order to determine optimal length of extended maceration after fermentation. Once drained and pressed, the young wines are barreled down into a combination of once used and neutral
French Oak.
Aging
In winter of 2019, the lots were blended together and continued barrel aging in 75% new French Oak. Just before bottling the 2017 Austin Hope Cabernet, the winemaking team tasted and selected individual barrels that displayed exceptional quality and character. These barrels were combined together to form the AHCS Reserve. After an additional 6 months of aging in 100% new French Oak, the wine was then bottled.
Appearance
Dark Crimson
