2000 Hess Select Cabernet Sauvignon, California

[wondersofwine]

When my sister was planning the prenuptial dinner for her middle son and his bride, I recommended this as an inexpensive red wine on the list provided by the restaurant (my other recommendation for a red was an Australian shiraz). I had not actually had Hess Select previously but had seen it on lists of reliable inexpensive cabernets. Didn't have it at the prenuptial dinner because I had white wine to go with my fish dish (choice of steak, pasta penne or tilapia).
13.5% alcohol
dark purple, opaque
Flavor of ripe berries and currants; solid on palate, slightly sour finish. Some drying tannins. I enjoyed it more on the second day with a T-bone steak and parsley new potatoes. The guests that did have it with steak at the wedding dinner seemed to like it okay--I don't know if the restaurant opened it ahead of time to air or decant.
Oh, and Hess wines have pretty labels (this one was an abstract art work in reddish colors.)

[This message has been edited by wondersofwine (edited 08-14-2003).]

[winoweenie]

Across the board, IMHO, Herr Hess puts out a line of excellent P/Q bottlings. His Collection bottlings are ALWAYS superior bottlings for the buck.WW

[Glass_A_Day]

I've enjoyed just about all that I have tried from Hess.