97 Hess Collection

[Bucko]

1997 Hess Collection, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley, $NA. Deeply colored, with splendid aromas of licorice, plum blackberry and cedar. Elegant on the palate, with full flavors of black cherry, blackberry, mocha, and French oak. The tannins are silky, the finish long. Classic California Cabernet.

[winoweenie]

Still one of the super P/Q wines still left in Napa. God bless Swiss water profits. WW

[Bucko]

SRP is $35 -- a terrific value in these days of bloated egos and bloated prices. Highly recommended.

Bucko

[newsguy]

Finally decided to try one of the four bottles of this that I have in storage. Opaque, purplish black. Decanted for 1 hour. Big nose of plums, cassis, cedar and alcohol. Taste of black cherry, plums, cedar, cassis. Big entry and midpalate, good finish. Medium tannins. This wine is a tasty mouthful and I bet will improve for the next 3-5 years. 90+

[Bucko]

Glad you like it! Stay away from that foil pouch stuff that WW drinks...... [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/biggrin.gif[/img]

[winoweenie]

OUCH!!!! Another bag of putty goes on the back-order. WW [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/biggrin.gif[/img]

[winoweenie]

Hi Buckster. I was flabbergasted when my son-in-law returned from Sedona today and brought a wine I didn't know existed. With little or no fan-fare Hess has brought out a new bottling called Hess Estates. A 97 it sold in Sedona (a VERY high rent district ) for 22. It would probably be in the 20 range here. Must be a bottling between the Select and the Collection. Sorry I'm on this *&^^%$@#$^ sabbatical so I can't give any more info. Looks like it's 100% estate and a combo of their Mt. Veeder and Napa vineyards. Have you tried this masked bottle? WW ( Just called my local connection and was informed they had just received this bottling. According to their info, it's just slightly less concentrated than the Collection and made with the young vines fruit. Ordered a box. Has to be a P/Q leader as it's from the 97 vintage. )

[This message has been edited by winoweenie (edited 06-01-2002).]

[Drew]

Man that heat has got all of Phoenix...we've had this critter for a bunch of months. I have some but haven't popped one yet.

Drew

[Bucko]

I have not seen it, nor have I ever been sampled..... call me Mr. Dufus....... shut up Gil. [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/biggrin.gif[/img]

[hotwine]

Hunh? Whut? Heh, heh.

[winoweenie]

Well THANKS A BUNCH Drew-stingy on letting the dummies on the board know about this new product. Haven't seen one word on it's release anywheres. As stated above, was assured it's a quality bottle well worth the bucks. WW [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/biggrin.gif[/img]

[RAD]

I'll take some heat here too, as I've had it as well--although in my ignorance I didn't know that it was a new bottling. Have found it here in NYC and in Atlanta in the low $20s.

RAD

[Drew]

It's $20 here in Belair, saw it in Baltimore for $16 but didn't notice if it was a special or what. I should pop one soon to check it out as I havn't heard too many good reviews from the local merchants. I didn't know it was a new bottling either...just thought I missed sumpin. [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/biggrin.gif[/img]

Drew

[winoweenie]

From the "Underground Whisperer" in Baltimore a local desperado writes " Last time that Sherlock missed somethin' was during the year of the black snow " (hehehhe) [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/biggrin.gif[/img] ww

[newsguy]

i am among the guilty parties, too. i tried a bottle of the 97 cab and just assumed everyone else already knew about this line. sorry. personally, i wasn't that impressed at $17 a bottle. i would rather spend a few more bucks on the barrelli creek. i know. you've heard THAT from me before ;-)

back to my vacation...

[Drew]

The purple label's pretty cool though. The word is that the Estate is really no better than the Select for the $5 to $8 difference.

Drew

[vinman]

Drew,
Could not agree more!

[newsguy]

anyone out there popped a bottle of the 97 hess collection lately? i only had 2 bottles left, and opened one recently when a friend was in town and we grilled some porterhouses. it was definitely an off bottle. nose seemed OK (though not as deep as i would have expected), but the taste was wrong. wouldn't say it was corked, more likely cooked i'd guess (but not badly so. it was drinkable). flavors weren't distinct at all, and it had a bit of an earthy/musty component to it. just a major disappointment. i only have 1 bottle left now and i'm not sure how long to wait to open it. and wonder what i will find when i do...

[This message has been edited by newsguy (edited 09-30-2003).]

[winoweenie]

Decided to open a botlle last nite. Deep ruby. Cedar, cassis, violets, and red fruits dominate the nose and taste. Very strong, clean entry and a weighty center.Almost the legendary 5-lapper finish but just short. You're botlle had to definately be off as this sucker still has enough silky tannins to improve another 4-6.
91/94. 25 by the box.ww

[newsguy]

thanks WW. i'll be in no rush to pop that last bottle and will keep my fingers crossed.