Austin Hope Cabernet Sauvignon

This Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon from Austin Hope carries a listed 15% ABV, which tells you most of what you need to know about its build: a warm-climate, full-bodied California red that leans on ripe fruit and a rounded, generous mouthfeel rather than leanness or restraint. Paso Robles sits in the hot, dry inland stretch of California's Central Coast, where big daily temperature swings keep acidity from sagging even as sugars climb, and Cabernet from the area typically shows concentrated dark fruit with a plush, mellow texture. Expect blackberry and blueberry at the center, with the earthy, dusty, cedar and mocha notes that California Cabernet is known for, and possibly a trace of mint or bell pepper in the background. Tannins in this style are usually moderate to firm but softened by ripeness, and oak influence tends to add a mocha or toasted-wood layer rather than overt sweetness. The finish in wines at this alcohol level usually runs long and warming, so the alcohol is something you will notice on the back end. At the table, this is a wine for fatty, charred or savory food, where the tannins have something to work against. Porterhouse or ribeye steak, grilled burgers, braised short rib, hearty lamb stew and roasted portobello mushrooms are all natural fits, as is a mushroom-heavy pasta with aged hard cheese. Spicy or very sweet dishes tend to clash with a wine this ripe and alcoholic, so keep it to richer, meat-forward plates. Serve it at roughly 60 to 65°F, a little cooler than room temperature, since warmth will exaggerate the alcohol in a 15% wine. Pull the cork 30 to 45 minutes ahead or decant briefly to let the fruit open and the tannins relax. A large-bowled Bordeaux-style glass gives the aromas room to develop. Wines like this are generally built to drink in its first several years, though structured Cabernet can hold and soften for a few more if kept cool and on its side.