Hess Allomi Vineryard Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

So many in the wine industry are always after wines with balance, complexity, subtleties, and delicate qualities that result in descriptions so elaborate that I need my dictionary to understand them. Multi-dimensional and complex wines certainly can be awe inspiring, but not every wine needs to have it all. Some wines can bring every day enjoyment by simply doing one or two things really well. Hess Allomi Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 is just such a wine. I can imagine that many wine connoisseurs will try this Napa Cab and say, "Where is the structure...the acidity...the balance?" Well I'm here to tell you that I don't miss them all that much when the fruit is this good.

In your glass the wine has a beautiful and rich purple color. The nose brings cassis and blackberry with some nice herbal notes. In your mouth, you get a massive load of black and red fruit right up front, and that is followed by more and more fruit. Although it's a little one dimensional, the fruit is very good, and there is a just a little bit of stony tannins on the finish.

Overall, this is a very approachable, easy drinking Napa Cab, and if you like your wine fruit forward, the Hess Allomi Vineyard Cabernet will give it to you right up front. As far as value goes, this wine delivers a lot of fruit for the price, which seems to vary a lot from store to store. I got this bottle for $19, but many other shops have it as high as $30. For anything under $25, this wine gives you pretty good bang for the buck. You could pair this with a cheeseburger or any backyard BBQ meal, but it is probably best suited for sipping on its own.

Cheers!

Pete