Shay A

9.5

After missing a ‘70s and ‘80s Heitz vertical many years ago, I vowed to seek out a bottle as all the comments from the tasting were astoundingly positive. My last bottle of Heitz Martha’s was the ‘01 (which was great) a few years ago, but at 46yrs, this was quite the experience.

The ‘78 has a bit of a legendary status, so expectations were high. Upon opening, the cork was in good shape (sigh of relief) and the color was unbelievably dark ruby with some bricking (another sigh of relief). The singular signature menthol/eucalyptus began to fill the glass, alongside aromatics of red berry fruits, espresso, some sort of sweet brown sugar/caramel note, and a savory-graphite type note too. Beautifully elegant on the palate with more red fruit, herbs (bay leaf?), and even some pipe tobacco (subdued, not in your face), but it sports the classical old Napa cab profile that is pure. Spectacular wine, and I could simply smell the wine all day…the aromatics were so powerful the entire time.

Open in bottle for three hours and powered through the entire time. Wish I had another so I could have the same experience! — 14 hours ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.3

Juan cortina sulaiman perera — 11 days ago

Conrad Green

9.0

A crazy nose. Smells like a Barolo. Stinky tar, intense and full. Tobacco and wood. Odd. Not unpleasant but would never think this was burg? — a month ago

with Chris, Alec and 1 other

Martijn

9.4

With a fantastic personal story our host Berry M shared this fantastic 33 year old bottle of Napa Cab. What a treat and experience. The wine still so pure and powerful. Lacking a bit of fruit but steady and gentle tertiary notes kicking in softly (leather…..).
Thanks for sharing!! — 2 days ago

with Eric

Ron Siegel

9.3

Still youthful showing ripe dark fruit, lots of spice, mineral, under brush & violet — 22 days ago

Conrad Green

9.6

A glorious nose. Kaleidoscopic fruit with bright cherry, violets, lifted wild strawberry. So much going on and sooo pretty. Very pure and defined on the palate. Still quite contained. I suspect this will be spectacular in a few more heard but truly delicious now. Pure class. — a month ago

with Chris, Alec and 1 other

Peter Isacksen

9.2

Had no idea! Deep rich color and taste. Opens up and boom you get the fruit. Smooth as silk a true find! — 8 days ago

with Deborah

Berry Marinussen

9.5

a 33 year old American....wow! 😍 — a day ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.2

Cena xon carlos gaytan y david wolf con los winegeeks el@paso jrz — 11 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.6

Rich, opulent, powerful vintage that kept improving with air showing red & black fruits, savory spice with orange peel, earth & violets — a month ago