Lion Tamer Blend 2021 - Hess Persson Estates

When Donald Hess traveled to California in 1978, he couldn’t imagined what would follow. The Swiss businessman, who was searching for sources for his own mineral water company, but also was an art collector, fell in love with the wines of the region and decided to make his own. Many years later, the Hess Persson Estates winery, as it is called today, is one of the most important and recognized in the region, with wines of excellent quality.

Lion Tamer Blend - Hess Persson Estates is one of them and consists of the varieties Malbec (61%), Petit Syrah (15%), Zinfandel (14%), Merlot (9%) and Petit Verdot (1%). Malbec has rightly acquired the nickname Lion Tamer because it can tame the intense tannins and for this reason it is used in this particular blend.

For its production, the estate uses new and progressive technological equipment and only the best grapes will participate in the alcoholic fermentation process and after its end, the wine will remain for 17 months in French oak barrels of which 40% are new.

The wine has a rich aromatic character with blueberry, raspberry and plum dominating. Notes of cinnamon, licorice, chocolate and violet follow. In the mouth it is exuberant with round and velvety tannins, black fruit, chocolate, spicy notes and a long aftertaste. The 2021 vintage received 92pts from Wine Enthusiast and Wine Spectator as well as 90pts from Jeb Dunnuck!

You can enjoy it now or if you have the patience, keep it for a few more years.

Excellent combination with a juicy steak, lamb chops with mushrooms and asparagus, game and spicy meat dishes.