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HESS Select
Chardonnay 2019
100% Chardonnay
RSD 2,220
AWARDS
92 Points - Wine Enthusiast - Best Buy (for 2018 Vintage)
90 Points - Wine Spectator (100 Top Values of 2017)
VINEYARD
Monterey’s cooling fog and Pacific coastal breezes, drawn across the Gabilan Mountains into the Salinas Valley, create an ideal climate for growing Chardonnay, yielding wines with tantalizing tropical notes and crisp acidity. Moderate temperatures lengthen the growing season, allowing fruit to evolve with layers of distinct Central Coast flavors. This wine comes from our 352-acre Shirtail Creek estate vineyard in Monterey.
Vintage 2019 began slightly later than normal in some areas, but nonetheless delivered superb results. Spring was marked by occasional rains, which brought welcome soil saturation, and cooler temperatures, which allowed fruit to mature at a steady pace. Summer helped the grapevines to ripen and catch up from their late start, and conditions continued to be almost ideal throughout August and September. The warm days and cool nights of the Fall season allowed gradual sugar accumulation and longer hang times, promising fruit of the highest quality with structural beauty from balanced tannin, sugar and acid levels. Harvest began slightly later than normal in some areas, but with the grapevines able to mature their fruit due to a warm, dry autumn. Fruit was picked at its peak, promising exceptional flavor in bottle.
WINEMAKING
75% Stainless Steel, 25% New French Oak, 25% Malolactic Fermentation
TASTING NOTES
“Monterey’s combination of moderate climate and marine influences from the Pacific Ocean keep the grapes balanced and able to develop fully ripe flavors. A classic Central Coast Chardonnay, this wine offers tropical aromas of grilled pineapple with a hint of lemon zest. Nicely balanced, Hess Chardonnay is medium-bodied with layers of sliced peaches and golden delicious apples, finishing crisp and clean with well-balanced acid. One of the things I enjoy most when I’m visiting with wine drinkers at festivals all around the country is the obvious pleasure people have when they tell me ‘I really love the Hess green label Chardonnay, it’s our house white.’ That means my mission is clear: don’t screw up a good thing. Gladly, this wine makes keeping people happy very easy.” - Dave Guffy (Winemaker)
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Region: Monterey County, California
Alcohol: 13.5%
Residual Sugar: 0.3 g/100ml
TA: 0.52 g/100mL
pH: 3.68
HESS Select
Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
RSD 2,580
AWARDS
91 Points - Wine Enthusiast (for 2018 Vintage)
VINEYARD
Rugged, often wild, with never-ending complexity, this unique growing region has long been home to advocates for family focused sustainable viticulture. A relatively mild Mediterranean
climate with predictable heating and cooling cycles is overlaid on a mélange of well-drained volcanic and gravelly soils perfect for concentrating vine energy. Rolling hillsides and bench lands offer prime vineyard sites producing flavorful fruit with layers of agreeable acids and balanced tannins.
WINEMAKING
Aged in 27% new French and American oak for 18 months
TASTING NOTES
“Our Hess Select Cabernet Sauvignon truly finds itself at home on any occasion. This wine is so versatile, I drink it year round—among friends at a summer backyard barbeque or with family in front of a crackling fireplace. On the nose, this Cabernet Sauvignon presents vivid aromas of red cherry and blackberry accented by notes of warm cedar. I love the big, rich entry on this wine, as mouth-filling tannins deliver complex layers of black fruit, notably blackberry and black plum, with hints of roasted vanilla and mocha on the soft, round finish.” – Dave Guffy, Director of Winemaking
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Region: Napa Valley, California
Alcohol: 13.5%
Acidity: 6.10 g/l
pH: 3.61
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The HESS Collection
Artezin Zinfandel 2019
82% Zinfandel, 14% Petite Sirah, 4% Carignan
RSD 2,520
AWARDS
90 Points - Wine Enthusiast (for 2019 Vintage)
90 Points - Wine Enthusiast - Editor's Choice (for 2018 Vintage)
VINEYARD
Mendocino’s Mediterranean climate produces warmer days providing optimal ripening conditions. Cool evenings extend the growing season, helping Artezin Zinfandel retain balanced acidity, deep color and rich structure.
Artezin Zinfandel is instantly recognizable as a classic, fruit-forward, “zinny” Zin. This signature style offers a full-bodied wine with round tannins and moderate alcohol.
WINEMAKING
10 months barrel aged, 1-2 year old French oak barrels
TASTING NOTES
“Welcoming aromas of pomegranate and boysenberry are followed by juicy red raspberry and red cherry flavors, all of which are framed by a subtle pepper note. The supple fruit notes are complemented by delicious elements of baking spice, most notably clove and cinnamon, with soft, smooth tannins delivering a round, balanced finish.” -Randle Johnson, Winemaker
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Region: Mendocino, California
Alcohol: 14.8%
Residual Sugar: N/A
TA: 0.57 gms/100ml
pH: 3.76
The HESS Collection
Napa Valley Chardonnay 2019
100% Chardonnay
RSD 4,020
AWARDS
90 Points - James Suckling (for 2018 Vintage)
90 Points - Wine Enthusiast (for 2018 Vintage)
91 Points - Decanter (for 2015 Vintage)
VINEYARD
The San Pablo Bay brings morning fog and gentle breezes to our Su’skol Estate Vineyard in the Napa Valley, located in one of the coolest growing regions within Napa. We named our vineyard “Su’skol” after the native Su’skol people who used the area as a meeting place and valued the nearby sources of fish and game. This vineyard is the site of an ancient seabed, with shallow, sandy soils perfect for nurturing Chardonnay grapes. The 175-acre vineyard is planted exclusively to Chardonnay with nine unique clones, giving our winemaker Dave Guffy a veritable spice rack to choose from to add layers of complex flavors to the wine.
WINEMAKING
9 months in French oak, 19% new
TASTING NOTES
“We take care in farming the Su’skol vineyard in order to develop fruit with bright acidity and balance, and to showcase the impact of the moderate temperatures influenced by nearby San Pablo Bay. We choose to focus on the aromatic and delicate musqué clone, which requires a light touch with both oak and malolactic fermentation. In order to highlight this beautiful clonal material, we put 70% of the blend through stainless fermentation, which helps retain fresh flavors of white pear and green apple, as well as preserves the wine’s natural acidity. So as not to overwhelm the blend, the remaining 30% sees a light touch of oak–19% new French oak–and only 30% of the overall blend is allowed to undergo secondary fermentation. Aging the wine 9 months in barrel with lees stirred weekly for 4 months helps create a complexity in this wine. Our estate Chardonnay offers aromas of jasmine and citrus zest, which harmonize with delicious flavors of melon and stone fruits as notes of clove and baking spice complement the vanilla oak” – Dave Guffy, Director of Winemaking
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Region: Napa Valley, California
Alcohol: 14.4%
Acidity: 6.10 g/l
pH: 3.61
Residual Sugar: N/A
The HESS Collection
Allomi Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% P.Sirah, 5% Malbec, 2% P.Verdot, 2% Merlot
RSD 5,520
AWARDS
92 Points - James Suckling (for 2018 Vintage)
90 Points - Wine Spectator (for 2018 Vintage)
Budbreak began on schedule at the end of February, and Spring brought moderate temperatures that progressed into a warm Summer without any disruptive heat pikes. Steady, consistent growing conditions provided the perfect environment for the fruit to mature and develop. As the moderate, even temperatures continued into the Fall, harvest started slightly later than normal, and in some areas, extended long into the first week of November. With such lengthy hang time, the fruit matured consistently and was picked when it was at its peak, promising exceptional flavor in bottle.
VINEYARD
Allomi Vineyard is located in the gently rolling hills of northeastern Napa Valley and serves as the inspiration for this wine. Here, the combination of a typically long, warm growing season and well-drained soils creates optimal ripening conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon. The 210-acre vineyard is focused into 35 unique growing blocks with six different Cabernet clones that add diversity of flavors and complexity to this wine. In each vintage, our winemakers and viticulturists evaluate each block and select only the finest components for the final cuvée.
WINEMAKING
27% New American oak for 18 months
TASTING NOTES
“The combination of steady heat and well-drained clay loam soils in our Allomi Vineyard allows fruit to ripen evenly, gaining welcomed complexity and layers of flavor. We consistently see beautiful yields from the Allomi Vineyard, and this vintage was no different. On the nose, this wine delivers delicious aromas of boysenberry, blackberry and elegant expressions of lavender alongside a touch of vanilla. Allomi Cabernet is concentrated upon entry with dense, but well-integrated tannins that provide a round, plush mouthfeel. Layers of juicy black fruit, notably black cherry and black plum, lead to elements of espresso supported by a subtle oak spice that adds to the personality of the wine and reminds us why this is one of our most popular Napa offerings.” – Dave Guffy, Director of Winemaking
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Region: Napa Valley, California
Alcohol: 14.4%
TA: 0.58 gms/100ml
pH: 3.76
Residual Sugar: N/A
The HESS Collection
Panthera Chardonnay 2017
100% Chardonnay
RSD 6,240
AWARDS
93 Points - Robert Parker (for 2017 Vintage)
93 Points - Wine Advocate (for 2017 Vintage)
92+ Points - Wine Advocate (for 2016 Vintage)
VINEYARD
Located in the heart of Sonoma County, the Russian River Valley is home to over 15,000 acres of grapevines. The Hess winemaking team selects vineyard sites that provide the very best wine grapes to craft wines expressive of this region. The cooler climates of the Russian River Valley are ideal for varietals like Chardonnay, which flourishes and develops uniquely rich flavors that are complemented by a bright, fresh acidity. The Hess Collection wines are family owned, sustainably farmed and dedicated to reflecting a true sense of place. Our wines are recognizable for their
elegance, rich, complex flavors and a tradition of excellence.
WINEMAKING
15 months in 35% new French oak
TASTING NOTES
“The word Panthera is believed to be of East Asian origin, meaning ‘the yellowish animal’ or golden-yellow. As a reflection of this moniker, we have crafted a striking golden-yellow Chardonnay that is opulent in style and beautifully textured. This inaugural vintage offers yellow stone fruit aromas that lead to delicious flavors of peach, white pear and grilled pineapple. The gorgeous frame of fruit encompasses layers of well-integrated toasty oak and hints of crème brûlée. Panthera Chardonnay is unctuous but focused with a bright acid core that persists through a satisfying, long finishe.” – Dave Guffy, Director of Winemaking
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Region: Russian River Valley, California
Alcohol: 14.3%
Acidity: 6.10 g/l
pH: 3.48
Residual Sugar: N/A
The HESS Collection
Mt. Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Malbec, 5% P.Verdot
RSD 8,470
AWARDS
94+ Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (for 2015 Vintage)
93 Points - Wine Enthusiast (for 2015 Vintage)
93 Points - Wine Spectator (for 2016 Vintage)
VINEYARD
Our signature Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon comes from our estate Veeder Hills Vineyard. The elevation of this vineyard ranges from 600-1,120 feet, and its steep slopes and sedimentary clay and shale soils restrict root growth, resulting in Mount Veeder’s hallmark small berries with intense fruit flavors. True to its appellation, this wine possesses dark concentrated fruit flavors and robust tannins
WINEMAKING
Aged in 80% New French oak barrels for 22 months
TASTING NOTES
“Our estate grown Cabernet is the flagship of The Hess Collection – grown on the original vineyards first acquired by Donald Hess in the late 70s, this is one of my favorite wines to grow and make. The 2014 vintage is vibrant with big blackberry fruit notes and sweet pleasing tannins – a surprise coming from Mount Veeder. Tannins on Mount Veeder need the most attention to ensure we craft a wine that is approachable and round, and this vintage delivers on all fronts. I love the mouth filling notes of espresso and cassis that layer around a very precise black fruit core. This is a wine that can age and age but if you are like me and you like your wines young, I promise you won’t be disappointed.” – Dave Guffy, Senior Vice President of Winemaking and Viticulture
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Region: Mt. Veeder, Napa Valley
Alcohol: 14.6%
TA: 0.65 gms/100ml
pH: 3.76
Residual Sugar: N/A