Austin Hope Troublemaker Red Blend

Austin Hope Troublemaker Red Blend is a bold, five-grape Central Coast red wine bottled at 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Built from Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Zinfandel, and Petite Sirah — predominantly sourced from the Paso Robles AVA — this blend earned 90 points from Wine Enthusiast and took Gold medals at both the Central Coast Wine Competition and the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Central Coast, California (primarily Paso Robles AVA)  |  Red Blend (Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah)  |  Producer: Hope Family Wines

Production & Heritage

Troublemaker is produced by Hope Family Wines, founded by the Hope family in Paso Robles — one of California's most dynamic wine-growing regions. The grapes are cold-soaked prior to fermentation in a combination of five-ton open-top tanks and larger 20- to 60-ton closed-top stainless steel tanks, with maceration lasting seven to fourteen days depending on the lot. The final blend undergoes crossflow filtration before bottling, a technique winemaker Austin Hope credits with improving wine stability and overall quality without stripping flavor. Blend proportions shift from vintage to vintage, giving the winemaking team flexibility to highlight whatever fruit performs best in a given year.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Opaque, deep purple in the glass. The nose opens with ripe cherry and dried plum, followed by savory sage, black pepper, and underlying earthy tones that add complexity.

Taste: The palate entry is surprisingly refined, leading with black currant and a thread of sweet oak before espresso and caramel notes develop through the mid-palate. Vanilla and dark fruit intensify toward the peak, supported by firm yet luxuriously soft tannins that give the wine its generous, full-bodied structure.

Finish: The finish is medium-long with lingering tobacco, cassis, and a subtle coffee bitterness that keeps the sweetness in check. A signature zing of acidity at the close adds freshness and encourages another sip.

How to Drink Troublemaker

Troublemaker drinks well at cellar temperature — around 60–65°F — with no decanting strictly necessary, though 20 minutes of air opens up the aromatics. Its fruit-forward intensity and structured tannins also make it a strong cocktail-adjacent wine.

• Kalimotxo: The wine's dark fruit and soft tannins balance cola's sweetness for a refreshing, low-effort serve.
• Red Wine Sangria: Troublemaker's spice and plum notes hold up against citrus and brandy without losing character.
• Mulled Wine: The blend's pepper, sage, and dark berry profile pairs naturally with warming spices like cinnamon and star anise.

Best For

• Weeknight steak dinners where you want a full-bodied red without overthinking the pairing
• Introducing Rhône-style blends to drinkers more familiar with single-varietal reds
• Casual gifting for someone who gravitates toward bold California wines
• Backyard barbecues and grilled meat gatherings where a crowd-pleasing pour is essential

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Troublemaker taste like? Troublemaker delivers dark fruit — black currant, plum, and cherry — layered with vanilla, espresso, and savory sage, all carried by soft, full-bodied tannins. It finishes with tobacco and a clean hit of acidity.

How does Troublemaker compare to The Prisoner Red Blend? Both are multi-grape California red blends at similar price points, but they draw from different varietal palettes: Troublemaker leans on Rhône varieties (Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre) plus Zinfandel and Petite Sirah, while The Prisoner centers on Zinfandel with Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Charbono. Troublemaker tends to show more peppery, savory character where The Prisoner emphasizes jammy fruit and chocolate.

Is Troublemaker good for sipping neat? Yes — the wine's layered dark fruit, balanced tannins, and moderate 14.5% ABV make it very approachable on its own, especially with a slight chill to around 60–65°F.

Where is Troublemaker made? Troublemaker is produced by Hope Family Wines in Paso Robles, California, within the broader Central Coast AVA. The majority of the fruit is grown in the Paso Robles appellation, known for its warm days, cool nights, and calcareous soils.

What foods pair well with Troublemaker? Grilled tri-tip steak mirrors the wine's smoky, peppery depth. Braised short ribs complement its soft tannins and dark fruit. Aged cheddar or Gouda echoes the caramel and vanilla notes. Wood-fired pizza with sausage and roasted peppers matches the wine's savory, spiced character. Dark chocolate desserts align with the espresso and cassis on the finish.

What sizes does Troublemaker come in? Troublemaker is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Troublemaker worth the price? Troublemaker positions as an accessible, everyday red blend — priced below the flagship Austin Hope Cabernet Sauvignon and many comparable multi-varietal California blends. Its Gold medals and Wine Enthusiast 90-point score suggest strong quality at its value tier.

Why Troublemaker?

What separates Troublemaker from the crowded California red-blend category is the Rhône-leaning backbone of its blend. While many competitors build around Zinfandel or Cabernet Sauvignon, Troublemaker's core of Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre delivers a savory, peppery dimension that Zinfandel and Petite Sirah then amplify with darker fruit and tannic grip. The crossflow filtration step — a detail Austin Hope specifically highlights as a quality driver — results in a polished, stable wine that avoids the heavy sediment some unfiltered blends produce. With dual Gold medals and a 90-point Wine Enthusiast rating behind it, Troublemaker delivers measurable critical recognition at a price that invites regular drinking rather than special-occasion restraint.