Behind the Cork™ - Lion Tamer Red Blend

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2016 Lion Tamer Red - The Hess Collection ($45)

This red blend comes from The Hess Collection of wines from Napa Valley.

Hess Family wines was founded by Donald Hess in 1978. Today, Tim Persson (Donald’s son in law) and his wife Sabrina are owners of Hess Family Wine Estates and are the fifth generation of the Hess family to lead the company.

The Lion Tamer is part of a new collection of wines that are not Hess branded. But it certainly represents the tradition and heritage of Hess wines.

This red blend is comprised of 40% Malbec, 27% Zinfandel, 21% Petite Sirah, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Mourvedre, 1% Petite Verdot and 1% Merlot.

While the Lion has been the emblem of the Hess Family for nine generations and the name Lion Tamer has become the nickname for Malbec because of their use of Malbec to ‘tame’ the tannin in their Cabernet Sauvignon wines.

The Malbec certainly does its job in taming this wine. It’s amazingly smooth and full of big juicy dark fruit flavors of black plum, black currant, cassis and boysenberry. This wine is a delight and oh so easy to drink.

This is one you’ll want to be on the lookout for! Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this wine at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Donna White of Donna White Communications


Behind the Cork™ - Wine of the Week

2014 Colomé Estate Malbec ($25)

Established in 1831, Colomé is located in the upper Calchaquí Valley in the Salta region of Argentina.

Colomé grows the world's highest elevation Malbec. The grapes used in making this wine are grown in four vineyards that sit at elevations ranging from 5740 feet to as high as 10,207 feet. These elevations produce thicker skinned grapes that yield robust flavors and ample tannin.

This 100% Malbec comes from 90 year old vines, is aged 15 months in French oak. What is immediately striking as you pour this wine is its extreme dark color. Then you get the aromas of black and red fruits. The intense rich fruit flavors, spiciness, firm tannin and acidity all work together to make this a very well balanced wine.

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission:  I received this wine at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Donna White Communications

Behind the Cork™ - Wine of the Week

2016 Amalaya Malbec ($16)

Amalaya wines was founded in Argentina in 2010 by Donald Hess of the Hess Family Wine Estates. The grapes are grown in the Calchaquí Valley in the eastern foothills of the Andes mountain range at altitudes as high as 5900 feet. This high altitude provides intense sun in the day and cool nights to produce concentrated fruit.

More than 75% of the world's production of Malbec comes from Argentina. This one, from Salta, is made from 85% Malbec and 10% Tannat and 5% Petite Verdot. One-quarter of the wine is aged for 8 months in French oak barrels. This lets the fruit flavors shine through with only a touch of oak flavors there to enhance the fruit.

This Malbec is a deep ruby red in color with nice dark fruit aromas of plum and black cherries. Cherry and Black Cherry flavors come right through along with a bit of peppery spice, moderate tannin, and a nice finish.

If you enjoy full-bodied red wines but prefer a bit less tannin, Malbec is for you. And this one from Amalaya is a fine one to choose!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission:  I received this wine at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Donna White Communications