Heitz Cellar

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

9.12244 ratings
9.2254 pro ratings
Napa Valley, California, USA
Cabernet Sauvignon
Top Notes For
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I compare the Heitz Napa to the Joseph Phelps Napa in many ways. I believe the Phelps is slightly less vintage dependent than Heitz. But, this 07 like the vintage in Napa, sensational.

This 2007 is peaking. Perfectly ripe & juicy; brambly blackberries, creamy black raspberries, black plum, dark cherries/kirsch, blueberries come on late and poached strawberries on the edges. The tannins are still dark and tarry. Rich, sweet, dark soils, mid & dark berry cola, anise, steeped black tea, dry tobacco, used leather, cedar/sandalwood, clove, nutmeg, some cinnamon & vanillin, moist, grey volcanic clay, dry crushed rocks, limestone, mid spice, hints of grilled meat, some fresh/dry herds, a tad of eucalyptus, stewy/tumble weed, fresh & withering dark, red, blue florals framed in violets, excellent round acidity, the scope of the finishes encompasses; balance for days, nice structure & tensioned, elegant, polished and lasts two minutes.

Photos all taken around their tasting room on Hwy 29 when their tasting was still the last free tasting in Napa. Still not over the family selling to a corporation that has no wine experience.

I compare the Heitz Napa to the Joseph Phelps Napa in many ways. I believe the Phelps is slightly less vintage dependent than Heitz. But, this 07 like the vintage in Napa, sensational.

This 2007 is peaking. Perfectly ripe & juicy; brambly blackberries, creamy black raspberries, black plum, dark cherries/kirsch, blueberries come on late and poached strawberries on the edges. The tannins are still dark and tarry. Rich, sweet, dark soils, mid & dark berry cola, anise, steeped black tea, dry tobacco, used leather, cedar/sandalwood, clove, nutmeg, some cinnamon & vanillin, moist, grey volcanic clay, dry crushed rocks, limestone, mid spice, hints of grilled meat, some fresh/dry herds, a tad of eucalyptus, stewy/tumble weed, fresh & withering dark, red, blue florals framed in violets, excellent round acidity, the scope of the finishes encompasses; balance for days, nice structure & tensioned, elegant, polished and lasts two minutes.

Photos all taken around their tasting room on Hwy 29 when their tasting was still the last free tasting in Napa. Still not over the family selling to a corporation that has no wine experience.

Mar 11th, 2024
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Another excellent purchase from the Benchmark Bin Sale. I love these 15-20 year Heitz Napa Cabernets…97 the rule, not the exception. It had perfect storage and is at its peak and will hold for another 1-2 years and diminish over the following 3-5 years.

The nose is floral dark cherry kirsch. Both plums, blackberries, black raspberries, pomegranate, strawberry liqueur notes, steeped tea, red & dark cola/licorice, dark rich earth, sharp, dry herbs, black pepper, dry twig with dark & red fresh & slightly withering florals.

The palate is ripe fruits well balanced with earth. Perfect evolution & integration. Soft, elegant w/ nothing bitty. Dark currents with ripe, leaner, juicy, slightly liqueured; blackberries, black raspberries, late spring dark cherries, both plums, orange rune, raspberries & poached strawberries. Heavy Asian & Indian, dark spices, black licorice/cola, pure anise, steeped, black tea, touch of black olive, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, vanilla, dry tobacco, dry Provence herbs, barrel shavings, dry pipe tobacco/ash, some lead pencil, leathery, moist, grey, volcanic clay, crumbled limestone, dry crushed rocks, dry river stone, dry brush, grilled meats-Châteauneuf-du-Pape characteristics w/ ragging, withering florals that are dark, red, purple, rainfall acidity with excellent; structure, tension, balance, polished finish that does not end. Wire to wire consistency. Lucky to enjoy a well stored bottle of 97 with this age.

Another excellent purchase from the Benchmark Bin Sale. I love these 15-20 year Heitz Napa Cabernets…97 the rule, not the exception. It had perfect storage and is at its peak and will hold for another 1-2 years and diminish over the following 3-5 years.

The nose is floral dark cherry kirsch. Both plums, blackberries, black raspberries, pomegranate, strawberry liqueur notes, steeped tea, red & dark cola/licorice, dark rich earth, sharp, dry herbs, black pepper, dry twig with dark & red fresh & slightly withering florals.

The palate is ripe fruits well balanced with earth. Perfect evolution & integration. Soft, elegant w/ nothing bitty. Dark currents with ripe, leaner, juicy, slightly liqueured; blackberries, black raspberries, late spring dark cherries, both plums, orange rune, raspberries & poached strawberries. Heavy Asian & Indian, dark spices, black licorice/cola, pure anise, steeped, black tea, touch of black olive, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, vanilla, dry tobacco, dry Provence herbs, barrel shavings, dry pipe tobacco/ash, some lead pencil, leathery, moist, grey, volcanic clay, crumbled limestone, dry crushed rocks, dry river stone, dry brush, grilled meats-Châteauneuf-du-Pape characteristics w/ ragging, withering florals that are dark, red, purple, rainfall acidity with excellent; structure, tension, balance, polished finish that does not end. Wire to wire consistency. Lucky to enjoy a well stored bottle of 97 with this age.

Oct 22nd, 2023
Sipping Fine Wine

Deep Ruby with aromas of berry fruits, earthy oak and floral notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry and cherry flavors with hints of licorice and leather, adding some minty notes. Fine dusty tannins, good acidity, well balanced, ending with fruit and earthy mineral notes. Nice! Grab a ribeye!

Deep Ruby with aromas of berry fruits, earthy oak and floral notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry and cherry flavors with hints of licorice and leather, adding some minty notes. Fine dusty tannins, good acidity, well balanced, ending with fruit and earthy mineral notes. Nice! Grab a ribeye!

Jul 4th, 2023
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

2012 was a good vintage but was never going to age as many thought. That is not to say this 2012 is not in perfect form now. Still not happy the family cashed out and sold this Napa pioneer winery to a corporation that had no previous wine experience. As well, eliminated the last free tasting in Napa, which included their Maratha’s Vineyard. These corporations pay a top price for these grand wineries and then squeeze it. That’s just what corporations do. So disappointing!

The 12 is smooth as silk. Nothing that bites back. Fresh, ripe; blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries. Mid, Indian spice, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, crushed rocks, dry twig, mid cola, brilliant, fresh, red & dark, violet florals, amazing acidy, well structured & balanced, easy tension with two minute ruby polished wire to wire finish.

2012 was a good vintage but was never going to age as many thought. That is not to say this 2012 is not in perfect form now. Still not happy the family cashed out and sold this Napa pioneer winery to a corporation that had no previous wine experience. As well, eliminated the last free tasting in Napa, which included their Maratha’s Vineyard. These corporations pay a top price for these grand wineries and then squeeze it. That’s just what corporations do. So disappointing!

The 12 is smooth as silk. Nothing that bites back. Fresh, ripe; blackberries, black plum, black raspberries, dark cherries, poached strawberries. Mid, Indian spice, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, crushed rocks, dry twig, mid cola, brilliant, fresh, red & dark, violet florals, amazing acidy, well structured & balanced, easy tension with two minute ruby polished wire to wire finish.

Jul 2nd, 2023
Sipping Fine Wine

Deep Ruby with aromas of slight berry fruits, earthy oak and floral notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry, currants and hints of sweet berry fruit flavors, adding some cacao. Fine dusty tannins, good acidity, well balanced, ending with fruit and earthy mineral notes.

Deep Ruby with aromas of slight berry fruits, earthy oak and floral notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry, currants and hints of sweet berry fruit flavors, adding some cacao. Fine dusty tannins, good acidity, well balanced, ending with fruit and earthy mineral notes.

Dec 28th, 2022
Sipping Fine Wine

Deep Ruby with aromas of berry fruits, earthy oak and floral notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry, currants and hints of sweet berry fruit flavors, adding some licorice and cacao. Fine dusty tannins, good acidity, well balanced, great now but has room to still develop, ending with fruit and earthy mineral notes.

Deep Ruby with aromas of berry fruits, earthy oak and floral notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry, currants and hints of sweet berry fruit flavors, adding some licorice and cacao. Fine dusty tannins, good acidity, well balanced, great now but has room to still develop, ending with fruit and earthy mineral notes.

Dec 7th, 2022
Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.1

Wayy too young, but a classic indeed.

Wayy too young, but a classic indeed.

Nov 28th, 2022
Boris Mathiszik

Classic Napa, nice structure. Elegant and balanced.

Classic Napa, nice structure. Elegant and balanced.

Sep 2nd, 2022
Josh Morgenthau

Tar and asphalt on the nose, cassis as well as fresh dark fruit. Great volume and acid on the palate, quite fresh.

Tar and asphalt on the nose, cassis as well as fresh dark fruit. Great volume and acid on the palate, quite fresh.

May 8th, 2022
Austin Hohnke

Beautiful and historic. Old ownership. Wears the 14.5% alc. well. Dark cherry, cassis, eucalyptus, jalapeño, and perfectly integrated oak. Blind tasted next to ‘14 Chase-Spleen and was immediately recognized for its fruit and character. Plenty of life ahead but drinking very well with a long decant now.

Beautiful and historic. Old ownership. Wears the 14.5% alc. well. Dark cherry, cassis, eucalyptus, jalapeño, and perfectly integrated oak. Blind tasted next to ‘14 Chase-Spleen and was immediately recognized for its fruit and character. Plenty of life ahead but drinking very well with a long decant now.

Apr 14th, 2022