The story of P.B. Hein is the story of so many up and coming small producers in Northern California; a wine enthusiast starts making wine in their garage, gets good feedback from friends and family, and decides the time has come to produce wine professionally. What happens next really depends on the wine. Given the quality of the PB Hein wines we have had the chance to taste so far, their future looks bright indeed. Focusing on extremely small lots from high quality vineyards, owner-winemaker Paul Hein is able to create small amounts of exceptional wine, and best of all offers them for sale at reasonable prices.
The 2005 PB Hein Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, from the first commercially released vintage for Hein, is sourced from low-yielding vines at the foot of Howell Mountain. It is ruby in color, with a hint of garnet at the rim revealing its 5 years of age. The nose is wonderfully complex, with black cherry, blackberry, chocolate covered raspberry, smoky tanned leather, and mulling spice. The palate is layered and rich with sweet cherry, espresso bean, cranberry, licorice root and leather. Nice acidity carries these dense, powerful flavors on the finish.
This is definitely a “New World” wine, with ripe flavors and plenty of fruit, yet it shows that wines in this style can still be balanced and food friendly. A perfect wine for fans of California Cabernet, this would pair beautifully with prime rib or grilled steak. At just $32, for a small production, Napa Valley Cabernet, this represents an incredible bargain. Don’t miss out on this one!
Grapes: Hein Vineyard
Harvest Date: Nov. 16, 2005
Varietal Composition: 100% Cabernet Clones 4 & 6, 100% Malolactic Fermentation
Barrel Aging: 26 Months, 100% New French Oak
Sugar at Harvest: 29.1 Brix
Alcohol: 14.5%
Total Acid: 7.1 g/liter
pH: 3.5
Residual Sugar: 0.06%
Production: 293 Cases
94 Point Vintage
Deep garnet core with an elegant ruby-brick rim—a striking sign of its library maturity. Aromas of black cherry, cassis, and macerated blackberry, seamlessly transitioning into sophisticated layers of cedar, graphite, crushed violet, and cured tobacco. A savory accent of bay laurel, cocoa nib, and warm earth adds impressive intrigue. The palate delivers dense dark fruit framed by velvety, melted tannins and vibrant acidity that keeps the wine lifted and fresh. Finishes long and seamlessly, lingering with espresso, black plum, aged leather, and a fine crushed-stone minerality.
