Hess Select Treo Red Blend

Hess Select Treo Red Blend is a Northern California red blend from The Hess Collection, bottled at 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Awarded 93 points by Wine Spectator and 91 points by James Suckling, this multi-varietal expression anchored by Petite Sirah and Syrah has earned consistent critical recognition for its depth and approachability.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Northern California, USA  |  Style: Multi-Varietal Red Blend  |  Producer: The Hess Collection

Production & Heritage

The Hess Collection, founded by Swiss entrepreneur Donald Hess, has been producing wines from its Mount Veeder estate and broader Northern California vineyards since the 1970s. The Treo blend draws from a rotating varietal composition — the 2020 vintage led with 50% Petite Sirah, 29% Syrah, 13% Zinfandel, 5% Malbec, 2% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon, while the 2019 vintage shifted to a more evenly distributed structure led by 33% Petite Sirah, 21% Zinfandel, and 20% Syrah. The winemaking team deliberately crafts the tannin structure to be soft and inviting, making the wine accessible on release without requiring extended aging or decanting — a hallmark that distinguishes Treo from many other concentrated California reds in its class.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bing cherry and pomegranate lift from the glass first, followed by deeper layers of crushed violets and black plum. A subtle backdrop of toasty oak and vanilla rounds out the nose.

Taste: The entry is generous with dark bramble fruit — boysenberry, blackberry, and black cherry fill the mid-palate with ripe intensity. Wine Spectator noted a slightly exotic profile of açaí berry interlaced with apple wood, sassafras, and singed anise. The full-bodied structure carries notes of chocolate, cedar, and a whisper of tobacco without overwhelming weight.

Finish: The finish is long and polished, with blueberry fruit lingering alongside a chaparral-like herbal quality. Plush, soft tannins keep the close inviting rather than drying, trailing off with hints of leather and dark plum.

How to Drink Treo Red Blend

This wine shows its full aromatic range at a slight cellar chill — around 60–65°F — and benefits from 15–20 minutes of breathing in the glass. No decanting is required, making it an easy pour straight from the bottle.

For cocktail-adjacent applications, Treo's bold fruit and soft tannins work well in a Red Wine Sangria, where its dark berry core pairs naturally with sliced stone fruit and citrus. It also holds up in a Kalimotxo (red wine and cola), where its concentration and sweetness balance the fizz. For a winter warmer, use it as the base for a Mulled Wine — the existing spice and chocolate notes amplify beautifully with cinnamon and star anise.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners when you want something serious without opening your best bottle
• Backyard barbecues and grilled meat gatherings with a crowd
• Gifting a wine drinker who gravitates toward rich, fruit-forward California reds
• Introducing someone to multi-varietal red blends beyond single-grape wines

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Treo Red Blend taste like? Treo delivers bold dark fruit — boysenberry, black cherry, and blackberry — layered with chocolate, cedar, and subtle oak spice. The tannins are deliberately soft and plush, making it full-bodied yet easy to drink.

How does Treo Red Blend compare to Apothic Red? Both are California red blends built for approachability, but Treo carries significantly more depth and structural complexity thanks to its Petite Sirah backbone and higher ABV (14.5% vs. Apothic's 13.5%). Treo has also earned stronger critical scores, including 93 points from Wine Spectator, positioning it as a step up in quality within the category.

Is Treo Red Blend good for sipping neat? Absolutely — the intentionally soft tannins and ripe fruit profile make it highly enjoyable on its own without food. A slight chill to around 60–65°F brings out the best aromatic expression.

Where is Treo Red Blend made? Treo Red Blend is produced by The Hess Collection, drawing fruit from vineyards across Northern California. The Hess Collection is headquartered on Mount Veeder in Napa Valley, though the Hess Select line sources grapes from a broader Northern California footprint.

What foods pair well with Treo Red Blend? Grilled tri-tip or barbecue ribs match its smoky dark fruit; mushroom risotto complements the earthy undertones; aged cheddar or Gouda highlights the wine's vanilla and oak notes; dark chocolate desserts echo its cocoa finish; and lamb burgers with rosemary amplify its herbal spice.

What sizes does Treo Red Blend come in? Hess Select Treo Red Blend is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Treo Red Blend worth the price? Treo positions as a mid-range California red blend that consistently outperforms its price tier on critic scores — a 93-point Wine Spectator rating places it alongside wines that often cost significantly more. It represents strong value for anyone seeking a serious, well-structured red without a premium price tag.

Why Treo Red Blend?

The 93-point Wine Spectator score is the headline, but Treo's real distinction lies in its blend architecture. By anchoring the wine around Petite Sirah — a grape that delivers deep color, dark fruit, and firm structure — and supporting it with Syrah, Zinfandel, Malbec, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon, the winemaking team achieves a layered complexity uncommon at this price point. The deliberate focus on soft, accessible tannins means this wine rewards you immediately rather than demanding patience, and its vintage-to-vintage blend flexibility allows the team to optimize each release for quality rather than formula. For a Northern California red blend that punches well above its weight with verified critical acclaim, Treo stands as one of the stronger values in the category.