Wine Enthusiast:  Rated as Excellent, extremely well made and highly recommended.  “A very fine wine, basically a Bordeaux blend except with a splash of Syrah, which adds a meat and violet flower note to the ripe, powerful black currants. ...so balanced and refined, you can drink it now. Should develop through 2012."

Restaurant Wine Magazine:  “Supple, rich, and well balanced, this is a full bodied, complex blend, with a long, smooth finish. It tastes of cassis, blackberry, mint, toast, and spicy oak...Great value.”

Winery:   "This wine is supple-textured and elegant, with prominent ripe red cherry and raspberry flavors that are accented by underlying flavors of sage, herb and sandalwood. By adding Malbec, Merlot and Syrah into the blend we are able to produce a layered wine with pronounced fruit characteristics that are balanced by supple tannins. The fruit themes repeat on the palate with hints of black licorice and a long graceful finish. Donald Hess was attracted to Mount Veeder for its elevation and unique mountain climate, which he believed would yield the best grapes to produce great wines. Mount Veeder is distinguished among Napa’s mountain districts for having the highest elevation, coolest growing season and geologically diverse soils. True to the unique mountain terroir, Hess Mount Veeder wines are known for their complexity, structure and elegance. Our mountain estate’s 310 acres of vineyards are sustainably farmed in accordance with Donald’s philosophy; 'Nurture the land, return what you take.'"

Wired For Wine:  The beautifully balanced Hess 19 Block Cuvee red blend will wow you with its many layers, all adding up to the perfect juxtaposition of lush fruit played off of supple tannins.  The Cabernet side of this wine allows it to partner well with beef and lamb, while the Malbec and Syrah bring in the possibility of duck and salmon as food choices.  Pour your first deep, dark red glass of this Cuvee and lavish yourself with a platter of beef carpaccio topped with shaved Pecorino, sea salt and the most delicate drizzle of olive oil.  Your taste buds will thank you.  Now that the weather is getting warmer, we have big dinners on our minds, outside!  Butterfly a leg of lamb and slather it with a crust of basil, pine nuts and well-seasoned coarse bread crumbs.  Delicious.  The ripe fruits in this luscious red blend will be terrific with sweet bell peppers done just about any way.  Serve them with the lamb.  If you're looking for something along the lighter lines, grill up some salmon and make a tarragon sauce for it.  Our first choice for serious casual is roast beef sandwiches with horseradish cream.  They play up the earthy, spice side of the 19 Block like a pro.  And finally, a ripe, potent Camembert will cap off what no doubt has been a great food adventure already.  Make sure everyone's glass is full one last time...

Size:  750ml
Varietal: 69% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Malbec, 10% Syrah, 5% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc
Alcohol:  14.4%
Ageing:   18 Months In French oak (50% new)
Region:  Mount Veeder, Napa Valley, California
Production:  563 barrels