4 an4 and 6 bottle levels     $22 (member price $19)
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Cabernet Franc  14.5% ABV

Quest is a project of Hope Family Wines (best known for Austin Hope).  It started out as a Cab Sauv heavy blend, but they’ve been upping the percentage of Cab Franc in the blend.  Starting with the 2023 vintage, it will be majority Cab Franc.  I was speaking with Stasi Seay (Director of Vineyards) in August.  She’s a secret weapon of Hope Family Wines, in that she was born & raised in Paso into a winegrowing family, and is an expert on the region’s vineyards.  Stasi has identified some excellent Cab Franc vineyards, and most of those grapes are going into Quest (and a winery-only varietal Cab Franc.)  Aged for 11 months in American oak barrels (65% new).  Spicy blackberry, black raspberry, candied jalapeños, mincemeat pie.

Food Pairing Suggestions:
This lush red is simply decadent with juicy steak au poivre, red wine braised short ribs over cheesy polenta, chicken mole tostada, pork meatballs in a creamy tomato sauce, cabernet braised short ribs, rustic Osso Bucco, slow cooked beef cheeks in red wine, grilled bone-in petite filet topped with blue cheese butter, bacon topped burgers smothered in sharp Cheddar, hearty lasagna bolognese or a wood fired pizza topped with Italian sausage, bacon and ham. After dinner, savor a glass with a sliver of Gruyere, Comté, aged Gouda, Pecorino, Manchego or aged Cheddar or even a dark chocolate and raspberry layer cake!