Hess Persson Estates The Hess Collection Lion Tamer Red Blend 2023 750ml

A wonderfully layered, suave and creamy red that's so easy to sip and enjoy now. This is largely due to the 60% malbec grapes in this blend, that when blended with zinfandel give a smoothness in texture, a deep color and what winemaker Stephanie Pope calls a blueberry pie effect. Full-bodied, rich in fine-grained tannins and broad in a chocolate, slightly jammy way. Drink now.

Lastly, the 2021 Lion Tamer Red Blend is an eclectic blend of 61% Malbec, 14% Zinfandel, 15% Petite Sirah, 9% Merlot, and a splash of Petit Verdot. It’s a sweetly fruited, forward, pleasure-bent beauty with lots of blueberry and raspberry fruit, medium to full body, sweet tannins, and some chocolaty, spicy, exotic flower-like aromas and flavors. It’s a big mouthful of ripe, pure fruit and perfect for enjoying over the coming 4–6 years or more. (Jeb Dunnuck)