A Cab on Par With Screaming Eagle
Yountville, Napa, California USA
Wine Style: New World / Cabernet
Average Price: $
Overall Rating: 97 points
Article Written: August 2013
Article Updated: September 2019
By Sean Overpeck (CFE)
**A full article and index glossary of restaurants, wines, recipes and travel for
Wine Dine and Play are in the pages section above, or by following these links:
Château or Vineyard Owner:
Lindsay Hoopes
Wine Maker:
Anne Vawter
I was first introduced to Hoopes Vineyard through the Napa Wine Company (now Ghost Block), whose focus was to introduce cult, classic, and small vineyards to larger markets. Immediately as I looked at the art design on the bottle with a small dog jumping through a hoop, with a medallion of the year’s vintage attached to the bottle, I thought about how neat it was that the imaginary some folks get to make their wines stand out from others. What I did not realize was after my first few sips, that turned into the glass, then the entire consumption of the bottle, and with that little tasting I had just been introduced to one of - if not - subjectively the best Cabernet Sauvignon in California. I don’t say that lightly, as Cabernet is my second favorite grape varietal in this world behind Rhône wines, and for California, I have enjoyed wines from Ghost Block, Silver Oak, Caymus, Opus One, Dunn, Kamen, Groth, to Jonata, and Hoopes outdoes them all, equal only to Stag’s Leap Cask 23, Screaming Eagle, and many more.
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| Hoopes Vineyard / Cabernet wine tasting |
Spencer Hoopes planted his eight-acre vineyard in the Oakville AVA of Napa Valley in 1989 when most vineyards in California were being torn out because of phylloxera. He was able to do this because the vines for the all-Cabernet Sauvignon site were planted on fertile sedimentary volcanic soils to St. George rootstock. The first wine with the Hoopes label was from the 1999 vintage. Winemaker Jason Fisher, who started to make the Hoopes Cabs in 2001, produced a limited production of 1,000 cases a year. Spencer Hoopes says of his wine, “I like to smell the aromatics. It’s a combination of the soil and the rootstock and the clone (Old Wente Bordeaux). It presents in a unique flavor that’s bright and the soils create that definitive fruit pop.”
Liparita has been in Napa Valley since 1900. Spencer Hoopes purchased the brand in 2006 and is reawakening it, in limited production, as a century-old ghost winery brand. Two wines are produced each year by winemaker Jason Fisher from the prestigious Oakville and Yountville AVAs.
The Hoopla wines, whose varieties change periodically, are meant to be “fun” wines that are reasonably priced. Where else can one find a quality Chardonnay from Napa Valley that’s priced under $20? Says Spencer Hoopes of the raison d’être of Hoopla: “It’s not to have to worry about ‘what sells’, but simply to have fun bucking trends and creating brave Napa wines.”
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| Hoopes Vineyard / Hoopla |
The Napa wine Company sent me my first bottle of the 2009 Hoopes as part of a club shipment, and I was so impressed I ordered a case through them and without hesitation when I found out that 2010 had been released, I did the same by ordering one full case. Here is what I did not know, considering most of the wines through the Napa Wine Company can usually only be ordered through there Tasting Room. If you go to the Hoopes web page, look for the medallion on the bottle, click it and it will take you to the ordering page, where you actually save money and get the wine delivered in a nice wooden box. 2011 was declassified because the winery did not feel that it was a good enough vintage to produce from, so I patiently awaited 2012. This is the type of wine, even though much cheaper than the Screaming Eagle, that you need to save a few bottles of every year so you can pass it on or sell it by auction, because, like Screaming Eagle, Hoopes will give you a very positive return in my opinion. Their secondary Cabernet comes from Vineyards they own called Liparita a brand name nearly one hundred years old, where they produce frontier pioneer spirited quality Cabs as well.
The one thing I really like is that the Hoopes Vineyard is not about expanding and winning market share, it’s about passion and producing a perfect product. What matters is making the absolute best wine possible from their grapes. Hence 2011. They refused to sell it because it would taint and blemish their perfect record for wine production. This is the type of vineyard I would love to volunteer some of my time too, just to be part of a future great name in American Wine, and say I was there. I look forward to a wonderful journey through the years enjoying this wine for many formal occasions or just for myself. Also for white wines, try their Hoopla, a wonderful and reasonably priced Chardonnay. The ordering information is listed below.
A new winemaker joined the team for the release of the 2012 Cabernet set for August 2014. Her name is Anne Vawter, and she will be taking the wine to the next level. I have been told that it will be outstanding.
Wine and Grape:
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Nose (Bouquet):
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Palate Experience:
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Hoopes 2009
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Winemaker Notes:
The aromas from the glass are cherry, anise and dark chocolate. While the initial taste sensations are classic Hoopes Cabernet, cedar, tobacco, all spice, and black fruits. Clone: Old Wente Bordeaux
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Winemaker Notes:
On the palette, it reminds me of the great 1999 vintage, long, lush and shows the integration of time and balance. Best drinking: Now-15 years Release Date: 11/01/2012
Barrels: 100% French, 80% New, Chateau Ferre Oak Barrel Aging: 33 months Alcohol: 14.6%
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Hoopes 2010
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Winemaker Notes:
Quintessential Oakville Cabernet with very pure cassis and blackcurrant fruit and violet floral, green olive/herb, dust, and barrel spice notes.
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Winemaker Notes:
The palate is lush, focused and seamless with vibrant fruit and bittersweet chocolate notes. Decant and enjoy now or will cellar well for 12-15 years
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Liparita Oakville 2010
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Winemaker Notes:
On the nose detects notes of red cherry, pomegranate, licorice, and berry
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Winemaker Notes:
The taste is Oakville Cabernet at its best with allspice, black pepper with a long lush finish of vanilla and fruit.’
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Liparita Yountville 2010
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Winemaker Notes:
The aromas are rich with fruit, complemented by ripe and jammy black fruits (berry, cherry, plum) along with sultana and dried fig. There is also a hint of dried savory herbs, black tea, coconut, clove, and allspice.
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Winemaker Notes:
This classic Napa Cabernet is powerful, ripe and concentrated with balancing wood and acidity. It has a long and persistent finish.’
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Final notes, review basics, and observations:
*** NOTE TO THE READER ***
Most reviews are subjective, depending on the writer; but they should also be responsible, and respectfully written, upholding the truth, and accurately conveying the experience to the best of the writer's knowledge, even if it includes metaphors the restaurant may not like to read about.
To see more details of this rating list, read this article:
I refer to myself as an oenophile though, oenophilia is defined as “a disciplined devotion to wine, accompanying strict traditions of consumption and appreciation.” In a general sense, oenophilia also refers to the enjoyment of wine, often by a layman — which I am, and not qualified as a professional. I just enjoy drinking it, so my rating is based on enjoyment and the overall experience, not the science of an expert, and thus subjective, not objective. See the score factors outlined in the ‘about page’ on how I arrived at the rating percentage below:
Overall Star Rating For Hoopes Winery:
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97/100:
An Extraordinary Tasting Experience
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Liparita Yountville
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on 2010 Hoopes
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Wines Produced by Hoopes Winery:
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Red: Cabernet Sauvignon
White: Chardonnay
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Barrel Types and Aging:
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100% French oak, 70% New for 32 months
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Wine regulatory’s for the tastings in this article:
“In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is the strength, in the water there are bacteria.” - David Auerbach
United States:
California:
Sub-Napa AVA’s:
Other California wines, wineries (Château’s), or food articles on Wine Dine and Play:
Napa - A Sip and Taste in Wine County A 3-day tour of wineries and fine dining restaurants in Napa County, California
Blackbird Vineyards Wine Tasting An ultra-premium terroir in Napa, California
Castello di Amorosa Tuscan inspired castle with wine — friends of the Baron - Calistoga, Napa, California
Chateau Montelena The famed Bottle Shock “Judgement of Paris” winner in Calistoga, California
Crocker and Star Wine Tasting Capturing the essence of Cabernet in St Helena, California
Emmolo Wine Tasting A merlot comparable to no other in Rutherford, California
Flying Horse Wine Tasting A spirited winery with Arabian horses in Oakville, California
Gustavo Winery Artisan winemaker whose story is tied to “The Judgement of Paris” in Napa, California
Jonata Winery Tasting Screaming Eagles sister winery, El Desafio cab, in Santa Barbara, California
Kamen Estates Low yield, high quality + film writing in Sonoma, California
Ma(i)sonry Wine Tasting An aesthetic portfolio of wines in Yountville, California
Mirror Wine Tasting A beautiful Cabernet from a family of entrepreneurs in St Helena, California
Ottimino Winery Exclusive red Zinfandel producer partnered with William Knuttel in Sonoma, California
Row 11 Santa Maria Pinot An Old World style Pinot from Santa Maria, California
Row 11 Tasting Pinot grapes using Dijon clones in Santa Maria, California
Silver Oak Cellars Near the Silverado Trail, known for high-end Cabernet in Oakville, California
Twomey Wine Tasting Napa and Sonoma wines owned by Silver Oak, Calistoga, Napa California
Volker Eisele Wine Tasting An elegant family estate in the Chiles Valley district of St Helena, California
California cuisine is a style of cuisine marked by an interest in fusion cuisine (integrating disparate cooking styles and ingredients) and in the use of freshly prepared local ingredients. The food is typically prepared with strong attention to presentation. Foods low in saturated fats and high in fresh vegetables and fruits with lean meats and seafood from the California coast often define the style.
5A5 Steak Lounge Modern Japanese steakhouse with chic design in San Francisco, California
Alioto’s Restaurant Historic restaurant serving Sicilian-infused seafood in San Francisco, California
Casita Taqueria a fast-casual taqueria serving homemade artisan Mexican food specializing especially in tacos and burritos in St. Petersburg, Florida
Ciccio Cali inspired cuisine from California using antibiotic-free meats, organic and Non-GMO vegetables in St. Petersburg, Florida
Cowgirl Creamery Artisan Cheese Shop “aka” Cowgirl Cantina in Point Reyes Station, California
FarmTable Cucina organic, sustainable, and local with a focus on Italian and New American themes in St. Petersburg, Florida
FarmTable Kitchen Casual Cal-Italian cuisine and chef tables in St. Petersburg, Florida
Fleur de Lys Lavish French-Californian by Hubert Keller in San Francisco, California
Gaia Restaurant Organic and sustainable concept in American Canyon, California (Renamed Table 29 Bistro and Bar)
Greystone CIA Restaurant CIA School restaurant formally called Wine Spectator now Gate House in Calistoga, California
The French Laundry French-American fine dining restaurant in Yountville, California
Wipeout Bar and Grill Surf shack theme with California and Mexican cuisine in San Francisco, California
Wolfgang Puck Celebrity Chef’s California cuisine and fine dining chain; reviewed in Orlando, Florida
See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary”
A Few New World Favorites:
New World wines are those wines produced outside the traditional wine-growing areas of Europe and the Middle East, in particular from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, India, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, South Africa, United States (California, Florida, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington State,Virginia),Thailand, and Uruguay.
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Yearly tasting event at Hyde Park
Sydney, Australia
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Wine and food tour
Cape Town, South Africa
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A tour of food and wine from a 2015 tour in Oregon wine country
Dundee, Willamette, Oregon
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Some Old World Favorites:
Old World wine refers primarily to wine made in Europe but can also include other regions of the Mediterranean basin with long histories of winemaking such as North Africa and the Near East. These countries include Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Cyprus, England, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Macedonia, Moldova, Morocco Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Sicily, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, and Turkey.
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Wine tours and restaurants
Bordeaux, France
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A tasting of the Vougeot AOC, caves, and the Hospices de Beaune
Burgundy, France
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Sancerre wines
Loire Valley, France
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See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary by country”
Bottle Prices
(excluding taxes)
$£€¥ - Under 50.00 (inexpensive)
$£€¥ x 2 - 51.00- 99.00 (moderate)
$£€¥ x 3 - Over 100.00 (pricey)
$£€¥ x 4 - Over 200.00 (expensive)
$£€¥ x 5 - Over 400.00 (very expensive)
**Currencies reflect the world’s major wine countries and connoisseur’s**
Currency rates in the top wine-producing & wine purchasing countries:
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Price Chart :
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2010-2017 (750 ml)
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United States Dollar (USD)
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Australian Dollar (AUS)
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$$
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Great Britain Pound Sterling (GBP)
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££
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Canadian Dollar (CAN)
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$$
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Chinese Yuan (CNY)
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¥¥¥
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European Union (EUR)
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€€
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New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
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$$
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South African Rand (ZAR)
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RRRRR
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Hoopes Winery:
1380 Yount Mill Rd,
Napa, California
94558, USA
Tasting Room Information:
Website:
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Tasting room:
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+01(707) 944 1869
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Email:
Website contact:
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Tasting Room Hours:
Pacific Standard Time (GMT, Zulu, or UTC-8:00)
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Monday - Sunday:
11:00 am - 5:00 pm
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Social Media
And
Accolades for
Hoopes Winery:
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****
The worlds best restaurants is a subjective list of who is writing it and changes on a regular basis. The Wine Dine and Play best experiences are based on my highest rated stared restaurants, meaning that the visit was an outstanding or extraordinary experience. From cafés, chains, mom + pops, hole in the walls, to fine dining including a few Michelin spots. Visit the Top 100 page to see the entire list.
A few to tease you with…
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Modern Australian haute cuisine
Sydney, Australia
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Charming French Bistro with a movie filmed terrace
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Authentic churrascaria-style dining
Palm Island, Dubai, UAE
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“In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is the strength, in the water there are bacteria.”
- David Auerbach
Who is John Galt?
TTFN
