Winemaker Notes
The combination of steady heat and well-drained clay loam soils in our Allomi Vineyard allows fruit to ripen evenly, gaining welcomed complexity and layers of flavor. We consistently see beautiful yields from the Allomi Vineyard, and this vintage was no different. On the nose, this wine delivers delicious aromas of boysenberry, blackberry and elegant expressions of lavender alongside a touch of vanilla. Allomi Cabernet is concentrated upon entry with dense, but well-integrated tannin's that provide a round, plush mouthfeel. Layers of juicy black fruit, notably black cherry and black plum, lead to elements of espresso supported by a subtle oak spice that adds to the personality of the wine and reminds us why this is one of our most popular Napa offerings.
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A fruity cabernet with currant, black-cherry and berry aromas and flavors. Medium-to full-bodied with soft tannins and a juicy finish. Yummy now. Drink or hold.
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Wine Enthusiast
Blended with small amounts of Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Malbec, this likable pour offers perfumed red fruit and bright acidity within a full-bodied, integrated core of smooth texture. A background of herbal notes complements the dense black cherry and blackberry core. Editors’ Choice.
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Wine Spectator
A polished, direct style, with warmed plum. and blackberry fruit laced with cocoa and tobacco notes. A rounded edge on the finish makes this accessible now, but there's enough for brief cellaring too.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2018 Hess Collection Allomi Cabernet Sauvignon drinks generously and tenderly. TASTING NOTES: This wine sports aromas and flavors of black fruit, anise, and dust. Pair it with grilled cheeseburgers topped with minced shallots. (Tasted: July 8, 2020, San Francisco, CA)
For over 40 years, The Hess Collection has been producing complex, elegant wines sourced from estate vineyards high on Mount Veeder and in the far reaches of the Napa Valley. It is from these rugged landscapes that The Hess Collection winemaking team crafts exceptional luxury wines.
A pioneer by nature, Donald Hess was determined to defy convention and pursue winemaking at elevation. In 1978, he established The Hess Collection Winery on the site of one of the region’s oldest wineries on Mount Veeder. Although few in Napa Valley were cultivating vines at elevation, Donald Hess believed the volcanic slopes of Mount Veeder provided the ideal combination of soils and microclimates to yield elegant wines with rich, complex flavors.
Today, the next generation of The Hess family continues Donald’s legacy at the winery's home on Mount Veeder.
One of the most prestigious wines of the world capable of great power and grace, Napa Valley Cabernet is a leading force in the world of fine, famous, collectible red wine. Today the Napa Valley and Cabernet Sauvignon are so intrinsically linked that it is difficult to discuss one without the other. But it wasn’t until the 1970s that this marriage came to light; sudden international recognition rained upon Napa with the victory of the Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon in the 1976 Judgement of Paris.
Cabernet Sauvignon undoubtedly dominates Napa Valley today, covering half of the land under vine, commanding the highest prices per ton and earning the most critical acclaim. Cabernet Sauvignon’s structure, acidity, capacity to thrive in multiple environs and ability to express nuances of vintage make it perfect for Napa Valley where incredible soil and geographical diversity are found and the climate is perfect for grape growing. Within the Napa Valley lie many smaller sub-AVAs that express specific characteristics based on situation, slope and soil—as a perfect example, Rutherford’s famous dust or Stags Leap District's tart cherry flavors.