Hestan Vineyards Stephanie Proprietary Red Wine 2018
(Napa Valley, California) - [JS 91]

About the Winery:
Hestan Vineyards was born from the culinary passion of Stanley Cheng and his wife, Helen. This husband and wife team has combined innovation and passion to create award winning wines. Stanley pioneered hard-anodized cookware in the 1970s and has continued to improve the ways we cook through innovations and he keeps that innovation going through his wines.

The Hestan and Meyer labels are the product of renowned winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown, with the philosophy that quality wine begins in the vineyard. The Stephanie wines are named for the owners’ daughter, a concert harpist. They are artfully crafted by winemaker Jeff Gaffner and offer a virtuoso expression of the site’s varietal composition. Jeff began his career at Chateau St. Jean working with legendary winemaker Richard Arrowood to produce the winery’s celebrated 1996 Cinq Cepages, named Wine of the Year by Wine Spectator Magazine. Over the years, Jeff has developed a reputation as a master-blender and specialist both in the vineyard and cellar. He has received critical acclaim for his site-expressive winemaking and signature elegant style.

About this Wine:

• Winemaker: Jeff Gaffner
• 31% Cabernet Franc 22% Petit Verdot, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Malbec, 8% Merlot
• 27 Months French Oak
• 50% New
• 14.5 % Alcohol
• TA 5.8
• pH 3.65

Growing Season 2018
February saw abundant rains, followed by lots of filtered light in spring and early summer. Both bud break and flowering occurred a bit late, but under ideal weather conditions, creating plentiful and even fruit set. Summer brought generous sun during the day and cooler marine influences, virtually uninterrupted by major heat spikes. The relatively mild summer followed by extended fall sunshine and moderate heat created near-ideal conditions for the fruit to accumulate flavor complexity with gradual increases in sugar levels.

Ratings & Reviews

91 Points - James Suckling:
"Blackberries, chocolate wafers, sweet tobacco and some vanilla. Medium- to full-bodied with plush tannins. It’s ample, dense and creamy, with generous berry character and a chocolatey finish. Drink or hold." (Mar 2024)