WTN: 94 Hess Collection Cab and an unexciting Soave

1994 Hess Collection Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa
Another orphan from the cellar and it seems that asking this one to go 12 years was asking a bit much. Actually the color was quite vivid and gave little indication of what was to follow. The fruit was quite muted, tannins fully integrated and the oak was firmly in control. Not an overpowering oak-bomb, but there just wasn't enough of the other stuff to balance it out. I suspect this bottle would have shown a lot better 3 or 4 years ago, so my suggestion is that if you have some of this in your cellar, it would be a good idea to drink one sooner than later.

2003 Tamellini Soave
With Pieropan Soave approaching $20 in this area, I decided to seek a more reasonably priced ($13) alternative. This caught my eye and came with the hearty recommendation of a local wine-pusher. Well this was another disappointment. Drinkable, but not inspiring at all. Some sour fruit, but not enough acidity to stop the F-Word* from popping into my mind. Not recommended.

Thanks for listening.

* Flabby

[Robin Garr]

Some sour fruit, but not enough acidity to stop the F-Word* from popping into my mind. Not recommended.

Bill, not to defend Tamellini (I'm not familiar with it in any vintage), but note that you've got one of those weird 2003s on your hands there. You might make a mental note not to dismiss them entirely until you've tried the brand from a year with more normal weather. Or not. So many wines, so little time ...

[Jenise]

Never had an older Hess, but they've always struck me as really good for right now and not wines to age.

I opened a '94 Hess Collection Cab back in September '05, and found it to be "pleasantly mature". My brief tasting note indicated mellow and mature, having lost a good deal of its intensity. I don't recall oak being in control.

Bottom line is that I fully agree. If you have any of these hiding in your collection, it's time to enjoy what's left of them.

-- Clark