For the main course Mick prepared NY Strips and fresh corn on the cob. The wine pairing was a 2001 Hess “Napa Valley” Cabernet Sauvignon. I have been a fan of Hess wines since having one of their higher end Cabs during a New Year’s dinner a few years back. The Hess Cabernet Sauvignon that night easily would have made my top ten all time Cabernet Sauvignons.
The first thing that stood out about this Hess Cab was the nose. It was absolutely stunning. Wonderful aromas of black current, green pepper and leather had me drooling in anticipation of trying this wine.
"O' Tannic-Bomb, O' Tannic-Bomb..." Unfortunately, this wine was one of the most tannic Cabs I have ever had. The lack of fruit and high tannin tossed the balance to the wine right out of the window.
On the upside, it did pair nicely with the NY Strips as they were able to neutralize the tannins in the wine. The pairing wasn’t quite as nice with the corn as an odd flavour was occurring when having the two together.
This wasn’t a bad wine. I think my disappointment mostly sprang from my high expectations after nosing this wine. In short, one of the better noses on a wine in a long time but also one of the most tannic wines I have tried.
Here is the group rating for the wine –Mick – 88, Mark – 87, Kathy – 85, Amy – 84, Overall – 86
There was no LCBO information on this wine, not really a surprise as the Hess Collection wines don’t tend to show up on the LCBO shelves very often. I’m assuming that Mick purchased this wine in the US.
Here is what the Wine Spectator had to say about his wine –
The Hess Collection Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2001
Intense and concentrated, with a rich array of ripe plum, blackberry, currant and earthy, cedary scents. It's complex and concentrated and turns firmly tannic on the finish, and that tannin level is the only minor concern. Best from 2005 through 2012. 9,600 cases made. –JL
Score – 88, Price $39
The price on this wine caught me by surprise, at $39 US it would be about a $63 bottle Canadian after duty, exchange and taxes. There are certainly better Cabs available for less money out there such as a Beringer’s Knight’s Valley for instance
Here is a link to Part 3
On the upside, it did pair nicely with the NY Strips as they were able to neutralize the tannins in the wine. The pairing wasn’t quite as nice with the corn as an odd flavour was occurring when having the two together.
This wasn’t a bad wine. I think my disappointment mostly sprang from my high expectations after nosing this wine. In short, one of the better noses on a wine in a long time but also one of the most tannic wines I have tried.
Here is the group rating for the wine –Mick – 88, Mark – 87, Kathy – 85, Amy – 84, Overall – 86
There was no LCBO information on this wine, not really a surprise as the Hess Collection wines don’t tend to show up on the LCBO shelves very often. I’m assuming that Mick purchased this wine in the US.
Here is what the Wine Spectator had to say about his wine –
The Hess Collection Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2001
Intense and concentrated, with a rich array of ripe plum, blackberry, currant and earthy, cedary scents. It's complex and concentrated and turns firmly tannic on the finish, and that tannin level is the only minor concern. Best from 2005 through 2012. 9,600 cases made. –JL
Score – 88, Price $39
The price on this wine caught me by surprise, at $39 US it would be about a $63 bottle Canadian after duty, exchange and taxes. There are certainly better Cabs available for less money out there such as a Beringer’s Knight’s Valley for instance
Here is a link to Part 3
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