2018 Hess Select Cabernet Sauvignon North Coast
2018 Hess Select Cabernet Sauvignon North Coast On the nose, this 2018 vintage Cabernet Sauvignon presents vivid aromas of red cherry and blackberry accented by notes of warm cedar. This wine, as mouthfilling tannins deliver complex layers of black fruit, notably blackberry and black plum, with hints of roasted vanilla and mocha on the soft, round finish.
Hess Select
Hess Select wines originate from family-owned Hess estate vineyards in Napa Valley and from grower partners who share our sustainable farming philosophy in Lake, Napa and Mendocino Counties. Affordable, approachable and crafted by Hess winemakers for immediate enjoyment, these wines represent outstanding examples of wines from California’s North Coast.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is the world’s foremost red wine-grape variety. Though widely cultivated throughout the world, it is most commonly associated with the red wines of Bordeaux.
In the vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are small, thick-skinned and decidedly blue-colored, with a high pip-to-pulp ratio. Its thick skin results in wines of profoundly deep color, and the pips add a high level of tannin.
It ripens late, which is advantageous in warmer climates like Bordeaux, France and California. In colder growing environments, Cabernet Sauvignon can easily fail to ripen properly. Unripe Cabernet Sauvignon shows a lot of the aromas similar to unripe Cabernet Franc, notably a green or herbaceous character. This may not be entirely surprising, as Cabernet Sauvignon’s parents are Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc.
Cabernet Sauvignon’s flavors can vary from region to another. Cabernet Sauvignon produced in Bordeaux’s Margaux appellation varies considerably from one grown farther north in Pauillac, for example. The best Cabernet Sauvignon wines tend to have deep color, good structure and a full body. They are tannic in youth, especially when aged in oak, and often require a few years to soften before they become enjoyable to drink. Typical flavors may include black fruits like blackcurrant or blackberry, as well as fragrant cigar box, tobacco and coffee.