2011 Candor Zinfandel Lot 4

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$19.99 (retail) Wine Club pricing reflected in receipt

Lots of small wineries are famous for playing the “family card” (as are many small businesses. . .including a little wine shop and restaurant we all know and love).  You read about the grandparents coming to America with just $100 in their pockets and  a suitcase full of sangiovese cuttings. . .all you need to start a winemaking dynasty.  After a decade in this gig, I have to admit I start to nod off when the music comes up on the “About Us” page.  Not the case, however, with Hope Family Winery, located in Paso Robles and home to five brands, including this month’s Candor selection.  Check out this very slick web site, and the first video in the “Watch” section:  “Deep Roots,”  (http://www.hopefamilywines.com/watch/) narrated by Austin Hope, winemaker and president.  These folks have a sense of humor, too, as illustrated in other videos posted.  Makes me kinda wanna go down and hang out with these guys and pull some corks.

The thing I really like about the Candor Zinfandel is it meshes the best qualities of both Paso Robles and Lodi in a single bottle.  Nice fruit you expect from down south with the bracing spice, pepper and zip of Lodi.  This is a non-vintage wine, which means that juice from more than one year is represented in the bottle.

I’m sure you’ll be seeing more Hope Family Wines in Carpe Vino.  They represent exceptional value and quality. . .most wines are $20 or less.  Nice.

Winery Tasting Notes:  “Exhibits aromatics of bright red fruit, vanilla and allspice.  The initial flavors of strawberry, cherry and licorice integrate well with smooth and silky tannins.  Lush and rich, yet not overpowering, Candor Zinfandel culminates with lasting notes of cedar and pepper and that signature zinfandel zing.”

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