Hess Select Sauvignon Blanc 2018
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This wine is a classic expression of Sauvignon Blanc fermented in stainless steel without oak to show off the naturally bright, refreshing citrus fruit flavors. On the nose, it is led by ripe honeydew melon and lime zest with a subtle presence of apricot. The wine is beautifully structured with flavors of yellow stone fruit punctuated by notes of golden delicious apples, all of which are balanced by a bright acidity that leaves a crisp, pleasing finish. This Sauvignon Blanc is lighter in body and truly easy to enjoy, and you won’t be surprised to find me relaxing with a glass at the end of the day.
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Wine Enthusiast
The Hess winemakers hit a home run with this wine. Very dense and mineral-laden, this concentrated and complex bottle shows fig and clay aromas, and bright citrus flavors accented by savory mushroom notes. So while well-grounded in fresh fruitiness, it also brings complexity, layering and interest to the table.
Other Vintages
2019-
Wilfred
Wong
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Wilfred
Wong
For over 40 years, The Hess Collection has been producing complex, elegant wines sourced from estate vineyards high on Mount Veeder and in the far reaches of the Napa Valley. It is from these rugged landscapes that The Hess Collection winemaking team crafts exceptional luxury wines.
A pioneer by nature, Donald Hess was determined to defy convention and pursue winemaking at elevation. In 1978, he established The Hess Collection Winery on the site of one of the region’s oldest wineries on Mount Veeder. Although few in Napa Valley were cultivating vines at elevation, Donald Hess believed the volcanic slopes of Mount Veeder provided the ideal combination of soils and microclimates to yield elegant wines with rich, complex flavors.
Today, the next generation of The Hess family continues Donald’s legacy at the winery's home on Mount Veeder.
Capable of a vast array of styles, Sauvignon Blanc is a crisp, refreshing variety that equally reflects both terroir and varietal character. Though it can vary depending on where it is grown, a couple of commonalities always exist—namely, zesty acidity and intense aromatics. This variety is of French provenance. Somm Secret—Along with Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc is a proud parent of Cabernet Sauvignon. That green bell pepper aroma that all three varieties share is no coincidence—it comes from a high concentration of pyrazines (herbaceous aromatic compounds) inherent to each member of the family.
Reaching up California's coastline and into its valleys north of San Francisco, the North Coast AVA includes six counties: Marin, Solano, Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake. While Napa and Sonoma enjoy most of the glory, the rest produce no shortage of quality wines in an intriguing and diverse range of styles.
Climbing up the state's rugged coastline, the chilly Marin County, just above the City and most of Sonoma County, as well as Mendocino County on the far north end of the North Coast successfully grow cool-climate varieties like Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and in some spots, Riesling. Inland Lake County, on the other hand, is considerably warmer, and Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc produce some impressive wines with affordable price tags.