Review: Hopes End Cabernet Sauvignon

I saw a trends report a few years ago highlighting that how wines are defined is changing. Winemakers are getting more experimental, doing things like infusing wines or adding ingredients other than grapes in order to create unique-tasting wines. Certainly, traditional wines still dominate the market but you do see some things you never would have expected 20 years ago.

It doesn’t surprise me to see a creative evolution in how wines are made. Walk down any beverage aisle in a store and you’ll see all kinds of new stuff. We’re living in an age of experimentalism and creativity when it comes to beverages and food.

This wine, Hopes End Cabernet Sauvignon, is aged in brandy barrels and kind of falls into that category of “new style” wines. It’s not something I would define as a traditional wine, yet it’s not totally foreign either. It’s a twist. Something different. Something to pique your curiosity and give you a chance to explore. I’m guessing it has a niche audience of folks who go bananas for it, and some folks who aren’t into it at all. Of course, it’s not really fair to compare it side by side with another Cabernet Sauvignon because it’s not meant to be just a Cabernet Sauvignon… it’s meant to be different, and it is.

I first came across this wine when I was in Australia last October for the Wine Media Conference. Honestly, I was avoiding tasting it at first because I feared the brandy barrel flavoring would be too strong. A couple friends said they tried and liked it, so I gave it a shot. I was pleasantly surprised. Although since I was at a tasting event and didn’t have the time or focus to do the tasting justice, I decided to revisit it. I picked up a bottle at a local wine shop and gave it another, more detailed, tasting.

The aromas on this wine are intense. I mean, really intense with mostly spice fragrances, such as vanilla, black pepper, pencil shavings and cedar, but there are also some fruit aromas, like blackberry and strawberry. The palate is brimming with concentrated ripe blackberry and strawberry flavors, with the oaky brandy barrel flavors coming through on the mid-palate followed by a touch of coffee flavor on the finish. While the brandy barrel is noticeable, it’s not over the top. The acidity is sufficiently bright and there’s a slight tannic texture to the mouth feel. The finish is super long. This is definitely a different wine. I wouldn’t describe it as elegant, but it is interesting, unique and something different.

Wine: Hopes End Cabernet Sauvignon
Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 13.5%
Rating: 87
Average price: $13.00