Hess Select Pinot Noir

Hess Select Pinot Noir is a Central Coast California Pinot Noir bottled at 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Produced by The Hess Collection under their Certified Napa Green sustainable program, this wine has earned multiple competition medals, including a Platinum award at the 2014 San Diego International Wine Competition and Gold at the Sunset International Wine Competition for the 2018 vintage.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Central Coast, California  |  Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir  |  Producer: The Hess Collection

Production & Heritage

The Hess Collection traces its roots to founder Donald Hess, whose guiding philosophy — "Nurture the land; return what you take" — remains central to the winery's identity. The estate holds certification from the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance and carries Napa Green status. The Hess Select Pinot Noir is sourced from Central Coast vineyards, including sites such as Sarmenta Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands, situated on benchland of the Gabilan Mountains where Pacific breezes promote slow, even ripening. The wine is made from 100% Pinot Noir using Dijon 667 and Pommard clones, then aged for up to nine to twelve months in neutral French oak barrels — a choice that preserves fruit purity while adding subtle structural complexity without heavy oak influence.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Bright cherry and raspberry notes rise first, followed by subtle sweet spice and a faint floral hint of roses. There is an underlying warmth of vanilla and clove that deepens as the wine opens in the glass.

Taste: The entry is juicy with ripe red cherry and plum, shifting at mid-palate toward cola, mocha, and gentle baking spice. A smooth, velvety mouthfeel carries the fruit through with good balancing acidity, keeping the wine lively rather than heavy.

Finish: The finish is dry and moderately lingering, with cherry-vanilla and cola notes trailing off alongside fine-grained tannins. A whisper of sweet spice closes things out cleanly.

How to Drink Hess Select Pinot Noir

Serve slightly below room temperature — around 60–65°F — to highlight the fruit and spice balance. A standard Burgundy glass allows the aromatics room to develop. For cocktails and wine-based drinks, this Pinot Noir's fruit-forward profile and soft tannins make it a strong candidate for a Red Wine Spritzer, where the cherry and cola notes pair naturally with sparkling water and a citrus twist; a Pinot Noir Sangria, leaning into the berry and plum character with fresh seasonal fruit; or a Kalimotxo (red wine and cola), playing directly into the wine's inherent cola-spice undertones for a surprisingly cohesive combination.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners where an approachable, food-friendly red is needed
• Introducing someone to quality California Pinot Noir without intimidation
• Hosting a casual wine-and-cheese gathering with friends
• Gifting a sustainably minded wine drinker who values environmentally certified producers

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Hess Select Pinot Noir taste like? It leads with juicy red cherry and ripe plum, layered with cola, mocha, and sweet baking spice, all carried by a smooth, velvety texture and moderate tannins. The finish is dry with lingering cherry-vanilla notes.

How does Hess Select Pinot Noir compare to Mark West Pinot Noir? Both sit in a similar price segment and target everyday drinking, but Hess Select tends to show more spice complexity and structure from its neutral French oak aging and Central Coast sourcing. Mark West, sourced primarily from coastal California regions, generally leans lighter and more straightforwardly fruit-driven.

Is Hess Select Pinot Noir good for beginners? Yes — its soft tannins, bright fruit, and smooth mouthfeel make it immediately approachable for drinkers new to red wine or Pinot Noir specifically. The 14.5% ABV delivers body without harshness.

Where is Hess Select Pinot Noir made? It is produced by The Hess Collection using grapes sourced from California's Central Coast, including vineyard sites in the Santa Lucia Highlands, a sub-region known for its cool maritime influence from the Pacific Ocean.

What foods pair well with Hess Select Pinot Noir? Roasted duck breast, where the wine's cherry and spice notes complement the rich meat; mushroom risotto, which echoes the earthy mocha undertones; grilled salmon, a classic Pinot Noir pairing supported by the wine's acidity; charcuterie with aged cheeses like Gruyère; and herb-roasted chicken, where the subtle floral and spice character aligns naturally.

What sizes does Hess Select Pinot Noir come in? The standard offering is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Hess Select Pinot Noir worth the price? Hess Select positions as an entry-level expression within The Hess Collection portfolio, delivering competition-medal quality, sustainable certifications, and Central Coast sourcing at an accessible everyday price tier — strong value relative to comparably awarded Pinot Noirs from the region.

Why Hess Select Pinot Noir?

What separates this wine from the crowded field of California Pinot Noirs at its price point is the intersection of sourcing and philosophy. Fruit from specific Central Coast sites like the Sarmenta Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands — cooled by Pacific breezes on Gabilan Mountain benchland — gives it a depth that generic appellation blends rarely achieve. The Napa Green certification and California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance backing are not marketing labels here; they reflect measurable vineyard-level practices. With multiple competition medals across vintages and aging in neutral French oak that respects the Dijon 667 and Pommard clone character, Hess Select consistently delivers a Pinot Noir that drinks above its weight class.