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Austin Hope Winery 'Hope Family Vineyard' Syrah 2009
Rated 91 Points by the Wine Spectator & Wine Advocate
Some great accolades for this family run winery that just popped onto my radar with their two fantastic ratings this year from two major publications.
Best of all - our low Varmax Liquor Pantry price of $26.99 per bottle is the lowest anywhere!
Austin Hope winery was founded by Austin Hope because of his love for Cote-Rotie in the Rhone Valley of France. He went there and studied their winemaking and methods, before coming home to found his winery along with members of his family who are also involved.
The Syrah is his flagship wine, meant to pay homage to his inspiration from the Rhone Valley.
Wine Advocate Rated 91 Points - "The 2009 Syrah shows lovely richness and density in its dark fruit. Floral elements appear later, followed by mint, licorice and sweet spices, all of which add considerable complexity. This could use another year in bottle to drop some baby fat, but it is undeniably delicious. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2019."
Wine Spectator Rated 91 Points - "Firm and chunky, with a smoky tobacco, roasted herb and scorched earth edge to the savory wild berry and blackberry flavors that are full-bodied and intense, ending with pleasantly chewy tannins. 810 cases made."
Drink this wine now, and don't be shy on the aeration - as with its Northern Rhone cousins, these wines really develop as they open up, and no better way to do that than to swirl a bunch or to decant. Feel free to lay it down in your cellar for a few years to see where it goes, this wine is young, and has lots of potential.
Cheers!
Tracy Maxon
tracy@varmax.com
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