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 months ago
The 2021 Riesling Poet's Leap is decidedly green in character, wafting up with notes of lychee, lime zest and crushed green apple. This flows across the palate with grace, displaying a pleasant inner sweetness, as tropical citrus and saline-minerals add a lovely tension throughout. This tapers off with young mango notes accentuated by a salty flourish through the long and crisply refreshing finale. The 2021 is so balanced and refined, just 12.5% alcohol, and at just under one gram of residual sugar per liter. (Eric Guido, Vinous, March 2023) — 2 years ago
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 — 10 months ago
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. — a year ago
Forgot to save my thorough notes(!!!). From memory - the nose hits you with overt apricot, fresh figs, lots of nuts (including pistachio ice cream), and a bit of faint tangerine. It tastes like a pastry - almonds, sugar, coconut cream, apricot, cookies and cakes and dessert oh my. Finished with honeycomb. Very different than the Sauternes I am accustomed to, but very good. 93. — 3 years ago
Still fairly primary. The fruit on the nose is remarkable. The purest apricot, and a little lightly burnt brown sugar, lots of flowers. Intense in the mouth. Not that sweet, and pretty good acids. Great length. This will go a long time. Delicious now, and certainly much better down the road. — 6 months ago
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 — a year ago
James Knoblich
Aubert Sugar Shack Pinot Noir 2022 — 13 days ago