Austin Hope Grenache 2020
Our Hope Family Estate Grenache is strong powerful wine yet possesses an enticing elegance. On the nose, fruit flavors of cherries, raspberries and dried blueberries delight. On the palate the mood depends with dark fruit flavors and more intense savory spices evolve with cardamom, black pepper and a touch of cinnamon. The wine finishes, fully coating your pallet with refined velvety tannins that linger.
Vineyard Notes:
Our Estate Grenache is grown in the Templeton Gap district, which is near perfect conditions for the varietal; Warm days, cool nights and afternoon spring and summer breezes with some maritime influence from the Pacific Ocean, just 22 miles away. Soils are clay-based but integrated with small, water worn limestone deposits that helps to keep the soil well-drained. Grenache is the most planted varietal on the Estate with several small blocks planted to a many clonal selections. Relatively flat, these vineyard blocks gently slope north. The main trellis system is a vertical shoot position except for Block 6B which is vertically head trained. Plant spacings are tight at, 5’ x5’, 6’ x 4’ and 6’ x 3’, which accommodates more plants per acre, thus allowing each plant to produce less fruit with concentrated color and flavors.
Winemaker Notes:
Four Grenache clones were used in the 2020 blend: Tinta Clone 01 (Spain), Garnacha clone 814 (Spain), Alban clone (Rayas CDP France) and Tablas Creek Vineyard Selection (Beaucastel CDP France via Paso Robles). The grapes were handpicked and fermented separately by vineyard block in five-ton, open-top tanks. After daily pump-overs (for color and tannin extraction) for 10 days, the tanks were tasted and analyzed for their tannin and structure to determine the length of extended maceration. These wines were held from 15-20 days on their skins before the being aged separately for 10 months in 100% once used French oak barrels. The wine was racked once during summer of 2021 to be blended and returned to 50% new and 50% once used French oak barrels. Just prior to bottling in January of 2022, the wine was racked for its second and final time.
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Vintage
2020
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Varietal
Grenache
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Appellation
Paso Robles
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Alcohol
14.75%
