Hess Selection Lion Tamer 2018

Hess Selection Lion Tamer 2018 is a Napa Valley red blend bottled at 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Awarded 93 points by Wine Enthusiast, this Malbec-driven cuvée earned its name from winemaker Dave Guffy's technique of using mountain-grown Malbec to soften and tame powerful valley-floor tannins.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Napa Valley, California  |  Vintage: 2018  |  Producer: The Hess Collection (now Hess Persson Estates)

Production & Heritage

The Hess Collection was founded by Swiss entrepreneur Donald Hess, who purchased the historic Mont La Salle property on Mount Veeder in Napa Valley. Winemaker Dave Guffy built the Lion Tamer blend around a core of 40% Malbec, supported by 27% Zinfandel, 21% Petite Sirah, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, and smaller amounts of Mourvèdre, Petit Verdot, and Merlot. The concept behind Lion Tamer centers on using mountain-grown Malbec to harness and soften the well-known power of valley-floor Cabernet Sauvignon and other bold red varieties, yielding a wine that is structured yet approachable.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with concentrated dark chocolate and ripe plum, followed by layers of dried florals and subtle spice. A current of cassis and boysenberry rounds out the bouquet with genuine depth.

Taste: The entry is lush and fleshy, delivering immediate blackberry preserve and blueberry intensity. A moderate grip of tannin anchors a juicy midpalate, while vanilla and spiced nut accents build toward a peak of sweet tobacco and mesquite. The wine stays open yet well-defined throughout, with the Malbec component lending suppleness to the heavier red fruit.

Finish: Exceptionally long, with lingering cinnamon, currant, and dark chocolate fading slowly. The tannins resolve smoothly, leaving a clean, slightly spiced impression that invites another sip.

How to Drink Lion Tamer

This red blend is best enjoyed at cellar temperature (60–65°F), either neat in a large-bowled glass or after 30 minutes of decanting to let the layered aromatics fully open. A Classic Manhattan substituting Lion Tamer for the vermouth component introduces bold fruit against rye whiskey's spice. A Red Wine Sangria with sliced stone fruit and a cinnamon stick plays to the wine's natural plum and spice character. A simple Kalimotxo (red wine and cola over ice) turns Lion Tamer's dark chocolate and vanilla notes into an unexpectedly refreshing warm-weather drink.

Best For

• Impressing guests at a grilled red-meat dinner party
• Gifting a Napa Valley wine enthusiast exploring bold blends
• Building a cellar of high-scoring California reds under $40
• Pairing alongside a charcuterie and aged-cheese spread

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Lion Tamer taste like? Lion Tamer 2018 delivers dense layers of dark chocolate, plum, and blueberry anchored by moderate tannins and accented by vanilla, sweet tobacco, and cinnamon. It is lush and fruit-forward yet structured enough to feel balanced rather than jammy.

How does Lion Tamer compare to The Prisoner Red Blend? Both are multi-varietal Napa Valley red blends featuring Zinfandel and Petite Sirah, but Lion Tamer is built around Malbec (40%) as its lead grape, while The Prisoner leans on Zinfandel. Lion Tamer's 93-point Wine Enthusiast score and its deliberate use of Malbec to temper tannin structure give it a smoother, more chocolate-driven profile compared to The Prisoner's brighter, spicier fruit character.

Is Lion Tamer good for sipping neat? Absolutely — the 2018 vintage's polished tannins and long finish make it an excellent neat sipper, especially after brief decanting. Its 14.5% ABV carries the fruit without excessive heat.

Where is Lion Tamer made? Lion Tamer is produced by The Hess Collection (now Hess Persson Estates), based at the historic Mont La Salle estate on Mount Veeder in Napa Valley, California. The blend draws from both mountain and valley-floor vineyard sources across Napa.

What foods pair well with Lion Tamer? Grilled lamb chops benefit from the wine's dark fruit and spice. Smoked brisket mirrors the mesquite and sweet tobacco notes. Aged Gouda or Manchego echo the vanilla and nutty undertones. Dark chocolate truffles amplify the cocoa already present in the wine. Mushroom risotto complements the earthy, savory undercurrent in the blend.

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

Is Lion Tamer worth the price? Lion Tamer positions as a mid-premium Napa Valley red blend, and its 93-point Wine Enthusiast and 92-point Wine Spectator scores place it among the strongest values in its tier. For a six-variety Napa blend carrying dual 90-plus scores, it delivers notable quality relative to its price bracket.

Why Lion Tamer?

The 2018 Lion Tamer stands out because of a specific winemaking philosophy, not just a catchy name. Dave Guffy's decision to lead with 40% Malbec — a grape rarely featured as the dominant variety in Napa Valley blends — gives Lion Tamer a textural signature that distinguishes it from Cabernet-heavy competitors. Dual critical endorsements of 93 points from Wine Enthusiast and 92 points from Wine Spectator validate the approach for the 2018 vintage. The 2018 growing season in Napa Valley was widely regarded as excellent, and the resulting wine captures that vintage's hallmark combination of ripe fruit concentration and balanced acidity. For drinkers who find single-varietal Napa Cabernet too tannic and straightforward, Lion Tamer offers real complexity and a smoother ride without sacrificing intensity.