Producer: Hess Collection  
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California  
Varietal: Chardonnay 
Year: 2021  

Retail Price: $45.00 
Our Price: $19.99

Hess Collection was established in 1978 by wine pioneer Donald Hess.  Now helmed by the fifth generation, they have a reputation as one of the premier family-owned and operated wineries.  They're a leading producer of luxury wine and produce outstanding, highly acclaimed wines.  Hess wines are recognized for their elegance and rich, complex flavors.  This is a winery that is constantly raising the bar.  In 2018, the winery opened a small lot winemaking facility called Lions Head Cellar.  The Lions Head Collection is their top of the line, luxury collection.  It's meant to be an area to innovate and try new things.  The Lions Head Cellar houses some of the most progressive winemaking technology allowing winemakers to craft wines of exceptional quality that showcase the distinctive lands they come from.  The 2018 Hess Collection Lions Head Panthera Chardonnay showcases the dynamism and energy of the Russian River Valley.  It’s creamy and elegant with crisp acidity.  It has notes of toasted oak, warm spices, creme brulee, white peach, bright Asian pear, lemon curd and golden apple.  This Chardonnay is lush and lengthy on the palate.  Enjoy! 

Wine Enthusiast, 91 Points 

"Rich in an oak-driven layering of caramel crème brûlée and butterscotch, this wine is lengthy and lush on the palate, with a hearty soul balanced by underlying acidity. It shows coastal coolness and touches of baking spice and earthiness." 

James Suckling, 91 Points 

"A medium-to full-bodied white with aromas and flavors of white peach, golden apple, smoked almond and toasted croissant. Lemon curd and flint, too. It’s creamy and elegant with crisp acidity. Easy. Drink now." 

Winemaker Notes: 

“Panthera Chardonnay showcases the dynamism and energy of the Russian River Valley as this wine displays both a vibrant aspect of fruit and a confident oak profile. This wine presents beautiful layers of crisp, bright Asian pear and golden apple that lead to luscious notes of lemon curd developed from malolactic fermentation. The deft baseline of toasted oak introduces notes of buttered French toast and hints of crème brûlée, which are complemented by a signature backbone of acidity nurtured on the Sonoma Coast.” 

Alcohol: 14.4% 

*Price and availability in store may vary. Discounts do not apply to wines like this one currently on sale.