The last bottled wine I tasted is also spectacular, and rivals the finest wines ever made at Hess - the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate The Lion. It is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot and obviously a cuvée meant to be the best Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated wine they produce. They didn't make it in 2009, 2010, 2011 or 2012, so this is the first vintage in some time. Inky purple in color it offers notes of lead pencil shavings, white flowers, blueberries and blackberries. The Mt. Veeder hallmark of blue fruits and white flowers definitely comes through in this supple, opaque purple wine that is full-bodied, built like a skyscraper and super-impressive. If this is what we can continue to expect from Hess Collection, they are on a quick, express elevator to the top. There are 431 cases of this gorgeous wine.

A new, high-end offering from this producer, this wine is made to celebrate and luxuriate in the appellation, which it does in its ying-yang of dark chocolate and cedar. Bright acidity uplifts a soft, creamy texture and firm, subtle tannin, allowing the blackberry bramble to speak.

Though big and intense, this is also polished, revealing a sense of refinement and elegance. Offers a core of licorice-scented blackberry, wild berry, cedar, herb, mocha and underbrush flavors. Ends with well-integrated tannins. Drink now through 2030. 431 cases made.