I purchased this wine (Hess Estate) in the fall of 2004 while on a business trip to San Francisco.  I was somewhat disappointed.  I have been a fan of the relatively inexpensive "Hess Select" for some time, and find it to be a good bargain that can frequently be found for under 15 dollars at discount wine stores.  It is nothing memorable, but decent.  The Hess Estate is their more expensive offering, that frequently can age nicely.  They also make an even more expensive "Hess Collection", which I have had only limitedl experience with.

When I bought a 10 year old Hess Estate, I assumed it would be a well aged soft-tannin, fully mature California Cab.  Unfoortunatly, the wine was still dominated by untamed tannin.  I don't know if I just had a bad bottle, or if this was indicative of the whole vintage for this winery.  The retailer I bought it from had it in a refrigerated section in the back of the shop, which seemed, in my opinion, to be too cold for proper wine aging.  Perhaps this contributed to the lack of development of this ordinarily better wine.  2.75 stars.

 

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