The Hess Collection Hess Select Cabernet Sauvignon
The Hess Collection Hess Select Cabernet Sauvignon is a 750mL California red wine — the 2016 vintage of the Hess Select line, a North Coast AVA Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from the family's Napa Valley estate vineyards and grower partners in Lake, Napa and Mendocino counties. No ABV is stated for this listing: the winery publishes no 2016 sheet and the figures in circulation conflict, so the bottle's label governs. Wine Enthusiast scored the 2016 at 88 points. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- Size: 750mL
- Vintage: 2016 (handle + Wine Enthusiast's vintage-specific 2016 review record)
- Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
- Origin: North Coast AVA, California — Hess estate and grower fruit from Lake, Napa and Mendocino counties
- Review: 88 points, Wine Enthusiast (2016 vintage)
- ABV: Not verified for the 2016 — see your bottle's label
The Select Line of a Mount Veeder House
Donald Hess established his winery in 1978 high on Mount Veeder, on the site of one of the region's oldest wineries, and Hess Select is the family's wider lens: sustainably farmed North Coast fruit under winemaker Dave Guffy, blended for immediate enjoyment rather than the cellar. See more on the The Hess Collection Winery vendor page or browse red wine and wine.
Tasting Notes
From the producer's notes for the 2016: a ruby pour with red raspberry and dark cherry aromas; red raspberry and black cherry flavours followed by spicy currant, anise, clove, cedar and a touch of vanilla; soft, round and medium-bodied. Wine Enthusiast's 2016 review describes ripe plum and blackberry fruit with a smooth, supple texture and complementary oak spice and dried herbs.
How to Enjoy
Pour at cool room temperature with roast lamb, burgers off the grill, or a weeknight pot roast — this is the Cabernet built for the table, not the cellar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hess Select a Napa wine? Not exactly — it is a North Coast AVA blend (Lake, Napa and Mendocino counties). The Hess Collection's estate fame is Mount Veeder in Napa, but the Select line sources across the North Coast.
How did the 2016 review? Wine Enthusiast gave the 2016 vintage 88 points. (The 91-point Best Buy review sometimes pasted onto this wine belongs to the 2019.)
How strong is it? No verified figure exists for the 2016 — the winery's published sheets cover other vintages. Check the label on the bottle in hand.
North Coast fruit, Mount Veeder pedigree — order Hess Select Cabernet Sauvignon from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.