Panthera Chardonnay showcases the dynamism and energy of the Russian River Valley as this wine displays both a vibrant aspect of fruit and a confident oak profile. This wine presents beautiful layers of crisp, bright Asian pear and golden apple that lead to luscious notes of lemon curd developed from malolactic fermentation. The deft baseline of toasted oak introduces notes of buttered French toast and hints of crème brûlée, which are complemented by a signature backbone of acidity nurtured on the Sonoma Coast.\n \n Producer Information\n The Hess Collection Winery is a California-based producer known for its Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley and its sub-AVAs. The winery is situated in Mount Veeder and was first leased by Donald Hess in 1986. The estate has a history of producing wines in the region dating back to the late 19th Century and the first wave of California wine production. Prior to leasing the winery, Hess planted vineyards in Mount Veeder in 1978, with the 1982 vintage being the first released under the Hess label. The Hess Collection Winery was the first of the Hess Persson Estates, which includes wineries in Argentina, South Africa, and other regions of California. The Icon collection is the flagship of the Hess Collection wine portfolio. It is a duo of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay sourced from the appellations of Mount Veeder and Napa Valley respectively. A small portion of Malbec is blended with the Cabernet Sauvignon which spends 22 months aging in French oak barrels prior to bottling. Other wines in the Hess Collection portfolio include the Estate, Allomi and Select ranges. The Lion's Head Collection is the dynamic and innovative partner to the Hess Collection and includes the Lion Tamer, Panthera and Small Black ranges. The winery has made sustainability and environmentally conscious practices part of its philosophy since it was founded. Donald Hess' original purchase of 365 hectares (901 acres) of land in Mount Veeder allocated more than 240ha to remain undeveloped in support of local wildlife. In 2008, it was one of the first 10 wineries to receive a Napa Green certification and, in 2010, it was one of the first 17 wineries to be certified by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance. The Hess Collection Winery was severely damaged during the 2014 Napa Earthquake, which led to subsequent renovations and upgrades, allowing the visitor center and art museum to reopen in 2015.
