Donald Hess is a household name synonymous with top quality worldwide—and not just in wine. Besides the Hess Collection Winery in Napa Valley, Donald Hess also owns wineries in Australia, South Africa, and Argentina—and in all of them, he pursues his second great passion: art. His love of art is also evident in this Hess Collection Napa Valley Chardonnay. The complex bouquet is literally picturesque. Apples, pears, peaches, apricots, and star fruit provide the "colors." There's also plenty going on in the mouth. Delectable finesse, harmonious, round, and long-lasting.
The Chardonnay grapes are hand-harvested from the Hess Su´skol vineyard, gently pressed, and fermented. Approximately 80 percent of the wine undergoes a second malolactic fermentation in oak barrels, where it matures for ten months on the lees. The two wines are then paired, bottled, and inspire with a powerful, characteristic Chardonnay aroma. The aroma reveals a beautiful bouquet of brioche and vanilla beans, complemented by diverse citrus fruits, green apple, white nectarine, and pear. The palate is outstanding, with a wonderfully thick structure and abundant flavors of oak, vanilla, yellow cream, peach, and apricot. A true winner! An excellent wine with grilled seafood, poultry, white meat, or pasta. We had the pleasure of tasting this Chardonnay with salmon carpaccio, which inspired, or "fished," our pairing ideas. Fried Shrimp with Lemon Honey Vinaigrette. Pike-perch fillet with avocado cottage cheese salad or scallops au gratin. Highly recommended!
