92
points
Hess Collection 2004 Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon (Mount Veeder)
-
$50
Production was 10,000 cases, amazing when you consider how good this mountain wine is. Immediately drinkable for the soft purity of the tannins and complex cassis, chocolate and oak flavors, it has the sturdy structure to develop for some years, but is best now for its elegant purity. Hess is on a real Cabernet roll, and is one of Napa’s overlooked stars.
— S.H.
(12/1/2007)
92
points
Hess Collection 2006 19 Block Cuvée Red (Mount Veeder)
-
$35
A very fine wine, basically a Bordeaux blend except with a splash of Syrah, which adds a meat and violet flower note to the ripe, powerful black currants. New oak shows up in the smoky, cedary overlay. It’s a tannicly dry wine, in the way of Napa mountain Cabs, but so balanced and refined, you can drink it now. Should develop through 2012.
— S.H.
(11/1/2009)
92
points
Hess Collection 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon (Mount Veeder)
-
$50
Ripe and forward in the modern cult style, with flavors of blackberry tart, black currants, milk chocolate and ripe mulberry, in addition to sweet, smoky oak. Sturdy mountain tannins provide structural bite, and should help the wine mature beyond 2011.
— S.H.
(12/1/2009)
91
points
Hess Collection 2004 Mountain Cuvée Red (Mount Veeder)
-
$35
A lovely wine, soft, supple and complex. It shows ripe, forward flavors of blackberries, cassis, mushu plum sauce, chocolate and oaky smoke and vanilla, with a sweet, wild edge of lavender and violets. A true Cabernet blend, with a drop of Syrah, it has the tannic structure to improve for five years.
— S.H.
(9/1/2007)