Hess Cabernet Sauvignon Allomi Vineyard 2019

Hess Cabernet Sauvignon Allomi Vineyard 2019 is a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon blend bottled at 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Awarded 90 points by Wine Enthusiast, this vintage showcases the warmth and ripeness that Pope Valley's Allomi Vineyard delivers with consistency across multiple vintages.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Napa Valley, California  |  Vintage: 2019  |  Producer: The Hess Collection

Production & Heritage

The Hess Collection, founded by Swiss entrepreneur Donald Hess in 1978 on Mount Veeder, farms the Allomi Vineyard in the northeastern reaches of Napa Valley's Pope Valley. The site is divided into 35 unique growing blocks planted with six different Cabernet Sauvignon clones, a deliberate strategy to layer complexity into each vintage. While much of Napa contends with marine fog, Allomi enjoys steady warmth and well-drained clay loam soils that push fruit toward even, full ripeness. The 2019 is a blend of 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petite Sirah, 5% Malbec, 4% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot, aged 18 months in American oak barrels with 30% new wood.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe currant and blackberry lead, followed by lavender and a thread of tobacco. Beneath the fruit sits a layer of damp earth and subtle oak toast.

Taste: The entry is juicy and fruit-forward, with black cherry and black plum dominating the mid-palate. Petite Sirah and Malbec contribute density and color, while well-integrated tannins give the wine a plush, round mouthfeel. Despite the 14.5% ABV, the body reads medium-full rather than heavy, with a freshness that keeps the fruit flavors lifted.

Finish: Moderate in length, trailing off with espresso, dark chocolate bitterness, and sweet oak spice. The tannins resolve smoothly, leaving a clean, savory impression.

How to Drink Hess Allomi

Serve at 60–65°F in a large-bowled Bordeaux glass. Thirty minutes of decanting opens the aromatics noticeably, though the wine is approachable enough to pour directly from the bottle. This is a food-friendly red — pair it with grilled ribeye steak, where the wine's tannin structure cuts through the fat. Braised short ribs echo the dark fruit and earthy character. Aged cheddar or Gruyère bring out the oak spice on the finish, and a simple lamb burger with rosemary lets the Cabernet's core fruit shine without competition.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners that call for a reliable, well-made Napa Cabernet
• Gifting a wine drinker who appreciates Napa Valley reds without ultra-premium pricing
• Building a cellar with wines ready to drink now but capable of holding 5–7 years
• Hosting a backyard barbecue centered around grilled red meats

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Hess Allomi taste like? It leads with ripe black cherry and plum, supported by soft tannins, espresso undertones, and a touch of sweet oak spice. The overall profile is fruit-driven, plush, and approachable.

How does Hess Allomi compare to Hess Select Cabernet Sauvignon? Hess Select is the producer's entry-level Napa/North Coast Cabernet, while the Allomi bottling is a single-vineyard wine sourced entirely from 35 growing blocks in Pope Valley. The Allomi generally shows more concentration, complexity, and structure thanks to 18 months in American oak with 30% new barrels.

Is Hess Allomi good for sipping neat? Yes — its plush tannins and juicy fruit make it enjoyable on its own without food, particularly after a brief decant to let the aromatics open up.

Where is Hess Allomi made? It is produced by The Hess Collection from their Allomi Vineyard, located in the Pope Valley area within the broader Napa Valley AVA in California.

What foods pair well with Hess Allomi? Grilled ribeye steak matches the wine's tannic structure. Braised short ribs mirror its earthy, dark-fruit character. Lamb chops with herb crust complement the subtle lavender and spice notes. Aged hard cheeses like Gruyère accentuate the oak finish. Mushroom risotto highlights the wine's savory, earthy undertones.

What sizes does Hess Allomi come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Hess Allomi worth the price? It positions as a mid-range Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon — above everyday table wines but well below single-vineyard cult bottlings. The 90-point Wine Enthusiast rating and single-vineyard sourcing from six Cabernet clones represent strong value within its tier.

Why Hess Allomi?

What separates the 2019 Allomi from the crowded field of Napa Cabernets at this price tier is the specificity of its vineyard. Thirty-five individually farmed blocks planted to six Cabernet clones give the winemaking team a deep palette to work with, and the addition of Petite Sirah, Malbec, Merlot, and Petit Verdot adds layers that a straight varietal bottling rarely achieves. The warm Pope Valley microclimate reliably delivers ripe, even fruit, and the 2019 vintage — a balanced growing season across much of Northern California — shows that consistency. A 90-point score from Wine Enthusiast confirms what the glass suggests: this is a serious, well-made Napa Cabernet that doesn't require a special occasion to open.