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
Gold Medal
Generously packed with black cherry, cola, cassis, and plum that all intermingle together in a creamy, velvety texture with great layering, finishing with delightful notes of oak and spice. Persistent, well-defined structure, wonderfully balanced.
90 Points
Rich and voluptuous with ripe raspberry, cherry, and plum, layered with hints of lavender, fig compote, and exotic spice. Concentrated and complex, the palate is a balanced interplay cocoa, and a hint of espresso, creating both richness and intrigue. Vibrant acidity and silky tannins that contribute heft and length that coat the palate with luscious ripeness that keeps on giving.
94 Points
A classic expression of coastal influenced Chardonnay with aromas of honey, apple chutney, lime blossom, and gentle Indian spice box undertones. A big juicy entry on the palate, showing a silky texture with excellent tension and structure, ending with a complex, layered finish.
96 Points
Aromas of blackberry, black cherry, huckleberry, floral violet and savory spice. The palate is full and layered, with robust, age-worthy tannins and gorgeous flavors of dark berries, mocha and chocolate-covered cherries mingling with hints of graphite, fig and fine leather. Smooth tannins, firm structure and silky texture coat the palate on route to a long, generous finish.
Exceptional!
Reddish-purple in color with aromas of blackberry, plum, pomegranate, herbs de Provence, and licorice. The palate is full, structured and balanced with blackberry, currant, black cherry, cassis, and licorice that carries through, with notes of black pepper, mocha and chocolate. Very long, spicy, with a fruit-driven finish. Great aging potential.
Gold Medal
Light pink in color with aromas of watermelon, cranberry, orange rind, and fresh spring flowers that leap from the glass. The palate offers more peach, strawberry, and melon, with an intriguing note of rose and hibiscus. It's crisp with just the perfect hint of red fruit, and delicate whisper of strawberry that gives goosebumps.
