2012 Hoopes, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley.
I was turned on to the Hoopes wines by Tim Gaiser MS, and while I liked the 2010 and 2011 wines, the 2012’s are really a step up and Hoopes winemaker Anne Vawter looks set to be a star. The Oakville based Hoopes is a property to watch and I highly recommend getting some of the 2012, especially the regular Napa, it is one of the best young Cabs I’ve tried so far. Voter comes from Walla Walla Washington and grew up around the likes of Leonetti and other top Columbia Valley wines, she went to UC Davis and then worked under the famed Heidi Barrett, she has helped turn out some great wines at Paradigm, so she is major talent on the rise. The 2012 Hoopes Napa is a lush and full bodied Cabernet with a deep purple/black hue, wonderfully elegant with creme de cassis, acacia flowers, smoke and mineral tones coming from the glass, on the palate rich and decedent fruit fill the mouth, showing blackberry, currants, dark cherry and plum as well as sweet tobacco, sage/spice, cinnamon stick, licorice and soft wood vanilla notes, this is stylish stuff, with hidden power and tannic structure, but with finesse and a refined nature. I was impressed by this effort, in particular, the more expensive Oakville cuvee seemed a touch over done, though it should settle into a superb wine as well given some time in the bottle, though I think the quantity and price on offer in the regular Napa Valley bottling makes it the better deal. I should imagine the 2012’s will age beautifully for 15 to 20 years, best from 2018 to 2022 I suspect, but honestly this Cabernet Sauvignon is very approachable now and is easy to love, enjoy with cheeses and or any meat dishes, get this winery on your radar!
($50 Est.) 93+ Points, grapelive
