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! — 6 hours ago

Pooneet K

9.2

13.9% 1995 Caymus - wasn’t sure what to expect, this is drinking beautifully. A window into a past era of Napa in a great way. — 12 hours ago

Ana Bumgardner

9.1

2021 at Chicago steakhouse. Had with sides and Mac and cheese. — 10 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

2002 vintage. Last tasted 10.06.22 (9.4). Similar "gliding along" impressions with feminine characteristics. This bottle (nice fill, cork and decent sed) was a goody. Decanted and tasted after 5 mins, 30 mins and 2 hours. Bit more structure evident after two hours open as to be a different, yet fantastic, wine. Funny how some of these underwhelming, less than aggro wines can take on another life of their own, on their terms, by gently removing all doubt. Still another 5-7 years-easy. 11.21.24. — 2 days ago

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

Dom Such

9.5

Wow. Yes. Tough vintage, cool year with late heat spike pushing ripeness. This 1999 showed the vintage character well, not a powerhouse but well balanced. Gorgeous layers and nuance from black fruited, pencil graphite, savory tobacco. Impeccable balance on palate with melted tannins and well judged acidity. — 2 days ago

Jeff Miller

9.5

Fantastic Napa cab that’s in a beautiful spot right now. Well balanced. Notes of Blackberry, Cassis, Pencil Shavings, Mint, and that ever present Rutherford Dust. — 4 days ago

with Ted

"Odedi"

9.7

#AgedWineTuesday

Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim. Not showing much age.

Gorgeous nose, and dry and fruity on the palate with medium acidity.

Showing blackberries, black currants, black cherries, cedar, cola, licorice, light vanilla, light coffee, chocolates, earth, black pepper and tobacco leaf.

Long finish with fine grained tannins.

What a wonderful surprise. This 23 year old Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley is drinking fantastically.
Elegant and fruit forward. Rich and extracted. Soft and smooth.

Good right out of the bottle, and so much better after an hour in the decanter.

Wine Enthusiasts 94 points. Robert Parker 97 points. Wine Spectator 98 points.

Showing great complexity at this point, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years.

A great sipping wine. Just gorgeous.

A blend of 95% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Cabernet Franc.

14.1% alcohol by volume.

97 points.

$230. — 12 days ago

Pooneet K

9.2

Very nice wine and drinking fresher than the 2007 Tignanello we had alongside. Classic Napa, but also with the right level of restraint. Quite delicious. — 12 days ago

Sonia Ross

9.2

November wine. Very balanced and elegant. — 9 days ago