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! — 3 days ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.1

Garnet core , terracotta rim . Spiced red fruit undergrowth , touch of brown sugar , grafite , tobacco , dried mushroom, touch of smoke . On the palate quite elegant red fruited , dried cranberry , red currant , still very much alive , just enough acidity. Slightly short on the finish , but with a round palate and a slightly sweet , brown sugar tinged finish . Still very much alive and enjoyable . Better than expected — 7 months ago

Randy Fuller

9.5

This wine has a burnished look, deep brown. The nose is a treat all on its own. There are aromas of brown sugar, coffee and orange zest which combine for an amazing olfactory experience. The palate is just as joyful, with caramel, raisin and mocha notes. The acidity is fresh and exhilarating. Although the wine is described on the label as “cream,” it does not strike me as creamy. The viscosity is nice, though. It will pair well with dessert, or serve as one by itself. — 10 months ago

Ian Hamel

9.0

2024 spring / summer. Yellow gold color. Round, fleshy, lots of sweet citrus and some stone fruit, a touch of residual sugar and no oak - this is my first time with Thevenet-Quintaine but understand this is the typical style. An interesting change of pace — 3 months ago

Jenks

9.1

Love this Riesling from Long Shadows. You’d easily think Walla Walla Riesling would be a hot sugar bomb like your mom due to the climate but not so here. 12.5abv, nice acid, a wee bit of residual sugar. Dig it. — 7 months ago

Ron R

9.5

My snowboarding bud just opened a pizza joint in Montclair, NJ. Making dough from scratch and serving it quick, and the quality!!!
SugarShack became the pizza’s perfect foil. Lovely butterscotch notes on the nose transitioned to citrus notes on the mid palate. Just enough acid to caress the Italian mozzarella. I love the moderate sweetness this wine possesses. Overall, another excellent example. — 8 months ago

with Anne-marie

Conrad Green

9.0

Lovely burnt sugar and light fruit. A little dilute. — 5 months ago

with Gregg

Andrew Cullimore

9.1

Yellow gold with copper hue, quite thin pale rim . Caramelised pineapple, saffron , vanilla , creme brûlée , quite rich and decadent. On the palate again quite rich , barley sugar , creme brûlée and saffron, just enough acidity to balance and a little alcoholic warmth . On the medium length finish , lemon rind and a touch of caramel . This is probably at peak now , just misses a little vibrancy , freshness, however successful for the vintage . Drink now and over the next 10- 15 years — 5 months ago

Jess

9.3

Deep brown color.
Aromas of demerera sugar, raisins, caramel.
Sweet. Flavors of raisins, baked demerera sugar, chocolate, caramel, butter tart filling.

Intensity: 4/5
Complexity: 4/5
Balance: 4/5
Finish: 5/5 — 8 months ago

Vanessa

9.3

This wine has a deep ruby hue with viscous tearing.

Aromas and flavors are highly expressive with notes of Luxardo black cherry, dried blackcurrant, ripe blackberry, juicy plum, violet, molasses, mocha, coconut, vanilla, clove, nutmeg, cardamom, dill, and leather.

On the palate, this wine is dry with a hint of residual sugar that has a softening effect. It has medium(+) acidity, a full body, high alcohol (15% ABV!), high tannins that are smooth and velveteen. The finish lingers.

It’s a rounded, full-bodied, and opulent expression that epitomizes the wines of Paso Robles. — 9 months ago