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
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.
91 Points
Shimmering ruby-purple hue. The nose is a walk through a damp Sonoma forest—mossy bark and wild earth—brightened by high-toned notes of cranberry sauce and blood orange. On the palate, it's generously long in the mouth, with good concentration. It's a masterclass in tension: intense, cherry and red current fruit meets dark spice and fine, sandy tannins.
96 Point Vintage
Entices with aromas of Bing cherry, raspberry, and cedar spice. Indicative of the cool vintage, the wine carries a freshness throughout. The palate offers a harmonious balance between bright red fruit, spice, and nicely woven tannins.
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.
