The Lion The Hess Collection 2013

The iconic wine from The Hess Collection is truly a gem, a real gem, a diamond, whatever you want to call it. For nine generations, The Lion has symbolized the life of the Hess family; "Live every day with the heart and courage of a lion" is their motto. And that's reflected in this top-notch wine made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. This wine can even be aged for up to 20 years, but it's already truly special.

The wines of Hess Collection Winery

Donald Hess founded the Hess Collection Winery in 1986. The vineyards are undoubtedly among the finest in Napa Valley. And what is grown and vinified there belongs to the California wine elite, prized by connoisseurs worldwide. As fifth-generation Hess family members, Tim and Sabrina Persson maintain Donald Hess's dedication to crafting world-renowned wines from Napa Valley and Mount Veeder. They continually challenge convention to deliver wines with distinctive character and strive for innovation with the Hess wine team to develop complex wines. The name Lion Tamer has also become the nickname for Malbec, as the Hess family uses this grape as a blending varietal to tame powerful tannins.

Twenty months of wood aging for The Lion

After being hand-harvested at the high-altitude Mount Veeder vineyard, the wine is aged for at least twenty months in oak barrels. The oak barrels used are a whopping 80 percent new, giving this The Lion from The Hess Collection winery in California its remarkable depth. The aroma brings everything together: abundant black fruit and rich notes of cedar, chocolate, spice, tobacco, and plum. The palate is enchanting, rich, and concentrated with fruity aromas of cherries, berries, blackberries, and plums. There are also plenty of spices, cedar, a hint of smoke, pepper, gingerbread, tobacco, and beautifully refined tannins.