Hess Select Chardonnay

Hess Select Chardonnay is a Central Coast California Chardonnay aged in both stainless steel and French oak, bottled at 13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2015 vintage earned 90 points from Wine Spectator, and multiple vintages have collected gold medals at competitions including TEXSOM International Wine Awards and the Sunset International Wine Competition.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Central Coast, California  |  Varietal: 100% Chardonnay  |  Producer: The Hess Collection

Production & Heritage

The Hess Collection was founded by Swiss entrepreneur Donald Hess, who first acquired vineyards on Mount Veeder in Napa Valley before expanding sourcing to California's Central Coast for the Hess Select tier. What distinguishes this Chardonnay from many in its price category is a deliberate split-aging regimen: approximately 70% of the wine is aged in stainless steel tanks to preserve bright acidity and fresh fruit character, while the remaining 30% is fermented and aged in French oak barrels, contributing subtle richness and a creamy texture. The result is a Chardonnay that avoids the heavy, butter-dominant profile common in the category while still delivering genuine oak complexity.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Grilled pineapple and tropical fruit open the nose, followed by lemon zest and a gentle layer of crème brûlée and caramel from the oak-aged portion. The aromatic profile balances citrus brightness with warm, toasty undertones.

Taste: Medium-bodied on entry, with sliced white peach and golden delicious apple forming the mid-palate core. As the wine develops across the tongue, candied yellow apple and a lime-driven energy emerge, kept in check by well-integrated acidity. The French oak contribution shows as a creamy, almost custard-like richness rather than overt butterscotch.

Finish: Clean and crisp, with balanced acid carrying the fruit through a moderate finish. Lingering notes of crème brûlée and a faint citrus brightness keep the conclusion fresh and inviting.

How to Drink Hess Select Chardonnay

Serve chilled to around 50–55°F to let both the fruit and the subtle oak layers express fully; too cold and the crème brûlée nuances disappear. A White Sangria works well here, as the tropical fruit notes amplify alongside fresh-cut citrus and stone fruit. In a Chardonnay Spritz with sparkling water and a lemon twist, the wine's natural acidity keeps things lively. It also anchors a classic Kir — topped with a splash of crème de cassis — where the oak-aged richness provides enough body to stand up to the liqueur.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners when you want something a step above generic supermarket Chardonnay
• Hosting a casual wine-and-cheese gathering with mixed palates
• Introducing someone who dislikes heavily oaked Chardonnay to a balanced alternative
• Summer seafood cookouts where crisp acidity and fruit brightness complement grilled fish

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Hess Select Chardonnay taste like? It is a medium-bodied Chardonnay dominated by white peach, golden apple, and tropical fruit, balanced by a creamy crème brûlée character from partial French oak aging and a crisp, citrus-driven acidity.

How does Hess Select Chardonnay compare to Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay? Both are fruit-forward Central Coast California Chardonnays in a similar price range, but Hess Select uses a lower proportion of oak aging (roughly 30% versus Kendall-Jackson's heavier oak regimen), producing a leaner, more citrus-driven profile with less tropical sweetness. Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve has been America's top-selling Chardonnay for over 28 consecutive years, so it leans toward broader, more crowd-pleasing richness.

Is Hess Select Chardonnay good for sipping on its own? Yes — the interplay of fresh fruit acidity from stainless steel aging and the subtle creaminess from French oak gives it enough complexity to drink comfortably on its own without food.

Where is Hess Select Chardonnay made? It is produced by The Hess Collection, founded in Napa Valley, California, using Chardonnay grapes sourced from California's Central Coast, a broad appellation known for cool maritime influence and moderate growing seasons.

What foods pair well with Hess Select Chardonnay? Grilled shrimp or lobster tail, where the wine's acidity cuts through butter sauces; roasted chicken with herbs, which mirrors the wine's savory oak undertones; mild soft cheeses like brie or young gouda; light pasta dishes with a cream-based sauce; and seared scallops, whose natural sweetness complements the peach and apple notes.

What sizes does Hess Select Chardonnay come in? It is most widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Hess Select Chardonnay worth the price? It positions as a solid mid-range everyday Chardonnay that punches above its weight, particularly given the split stainless-steel-and-oak aging method and consistent competition medals — strong value for drinkers looking beyond entry-level options without a significant price jump.

Why Hess Select Chardonnay?

The defining move here is the 70/30 stainless steel-to-French oak aging split, a technique that gives winemakers precise control over how much richness enters the final blend while keeping acidity and fruit purity front and center. That approach has translated into consistent critical recognition across multiple vintages — a 90-point Wine Spectator score for the 2015 vintage and gold medals at both TEXSOM and Sunset International. In a crowded field of California Chardonnays that often default to either aggressively oaky or entirely unoaked styles, this wine occupies a middle ground that rewards both casual drinkers and those paying closer attention to balance.