Heitz Cellar
Bella Oaks Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California, USA
Completely resolved and so laid back. This was George Clooney in flip-flops and a T. Supple, sexy, and way beyond expectations. Drink up.
Completely resolved and so laid back. This was George Clooney in flip-flops and a T. Supple, sexy, and way beyond expectations. Drink up.
Jun 5th, 2019
Finished up a Coravin-ed Magnum of 03 Bella Oaks. Absolute blue fruit heaven! Disappointing they no longer have the Vineyard. Staglin bought this vineyard and now makes a Bella Oaks at 2 1/2 times the price Heitz sold it when they still had Vineyard four or five years ago. Even more disappointing is the family just sold the Winery. The Heitz family are in that Napa Pioneer conversation. Hard to believe they decided to give that up. They sold it to Gaylon Lawrence Jr.. The family made their money in agriculture, banking and own a national air-conditioning distributor but, have no winery experience. David Heitz is also stepping aside as Winemaker. We’ll see if and how their style changes over the coming years. @PlateAndBottle
Finished up a Coravin-ed Magnum of 03 Bella Oaks. Absolute blue fruit heaven! Disappointing they no longer have the Vineyard. Staglin bought this vineyard and now makes a Bella Oaks at 2 1/2 times the price Heitz sold it when they still had Vineyard four or five years ago. Even more disappointing is the family just sold the Winery. The Heitz family are in that Napa Pioneer conversation. Hard to believe they decided to give that up. They sold it to Gaylon Lawrence Jr.. The family made their money in agriculture, banking and own a national air-conditioning distributor but, have no winery experience. David Heitz is also stepping aside as Winemaker. We’ll see if and how their style changes over the coming years. @PlateAndBottle
1 person found it helpfulMay 13th, 2018This 03 reminds me of a 82 magnum of Bella Oaks I had a few years ago. Both beautiful but the 82 was ridiculously off the charts. The nose on this 03 has big syrupy blue fruits...blueberries, boysenberries. Dark cherries, black raspberries, volcanic minerals, rich dark earth and liquid violets. The body is; lush, round, elegant with completely resolved tannins. It's smooth as silk. Blueberries, boysenberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, poached strawberries, stingy spice-box on the long finish, rich semi-sweet black earth, powdery dry crushed stones, soft chewy leather, vanilla, cinnamon, dark fresh florals, violets, the acidity is round, fresh and rain like on the palate. With a finish that is long, lush, elegant and lasts well over a minute. There is no bit or anything astringent in this 03. Photos of; a Heitz vineyard, estate building and tasting room grounds. Sad they no longer have this vineyard...now in the hands of Staglin and now costs for 3 times the price for a bottle.
This 03 reminds me of a 82 magnum of Bella Oaks I had a few years ago. Both beautiful but the 82 was ridiculously off the charts. The nose on this 03 has big syrupy blue fruits...blueberries, boysenberries. Dark cherries, black raspberries, volcanic minerals, rich dark earth and liquid violets. The body is; lush, round, elegant with completely resolved tannins. It's smooth as silk. Blueberries, boysenberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, poached strawberries, stingy spice-box on the long finish, rich semi-sweet black earth, powdery dry crushed stones, soft chewy leather, vanilla, cinnamon, dark fresh florals, violets, the acidity is round, fresh and rain like on the palate. With a finish that is long, lush, elegant and lasts well over a minute. There is no bit or anything astringent in this 03. Photos of; a Heitz vineyard, estate building and tasting room grounds. Sad they no longer have this vineyard...now in the hands of Staglin and now costs for 3 times the price for a bottle.
Jun 17th, 2017This 03 is like candy. It has all the blue fruits imaginable, plums, blackberries, black raspberries and black cherries. They swirl over your palate. There's soft sweet spice, black cherry/berry cola, liquid violets, crushed volcanic minerals that are so delicate and delicious it's hard to call them minerals, rich semi-sweet black earth, sweetened black tea, leather as if it were dessert & dry stems. The acidity is amazingly perfect. Tannins are very resolved...like light dust. The structure, length, balance & light tension are in perfect harmony. The finish is; ripe, round, lush, elegant & sings on the palate nor does it end. The only knock you could give this wine is that for some it might be a little too sweet. Another five years plus in the bottle, it's sweetness will soften enough for those who might say that. I'll be getting a few more of these at $60 and trying it again in five years. This 03 reminds me of an 82 Bella Oaks I had out of magnum a few years ago and that was stunning. This just hasn't had that kind of time in the bottle yet.
This 03 is like candy. It has all the blue fruits imaginable, plums, blackberries, black raspberries and black cherries. They swirl over your palate. There's soft sweet spice, black cherry/berry cola, liquid violets, crushed volcanic minerals that are so delicate and delicious it's hard to call them minerals, rich semi-sweet black earth, sweetened black tea, leather as if it were dessert & dry stems. The acidity is amazingly perfect. Tannins are very resolved...like light dust. The structure, length, balance & light tension are in perfect harmony. The finish is; ripe, round, lush, elegant & sings on the palate nor does it end. The only knock you could give this wine is that for some it might be a little too sweet. Another five years plus in the bottle, it's sweetness will soften enough for those who might say that. I'll be getting a few more of these at $60 and trying it again in five years. This 03 reminds me of an 82 Bella Oaks I had out of magnum a few years ago and that was stunning. This just hasn't had that kind of time in the bottle yet.
Jan 16th, 2017A great pull by Shay! Able to try a 1986 Bella, 03 Bella, and 99 Heitz Napa Cab all in one sitting. This 03 still has quite a bit of power, although the 86 was starting to fade. 86 was a good year overall, with some pretty crazy floods the winter before. 03 started out rather wet and finished rather hot but still produced good wines. This 03 to me seems like it will hold with better concentration than the 86. This wine took about 30 minutes to blow off some mushroom and vodka shot kind of funkiness. But afterwards this wine was ready to rock. Blackberry palate, pretty dense and rounded. The middle of this wine was very similar to the 99 Heitz Napa, but the finish was a bit short. Herbs and blackberry on the finish, with tannin structure that had started to give way. I am really impressed by these Heitz wines, and just don't think they get the respect they deserve nowadays (they're one of the only places that will pour you a $200 bottle of wine at a tasting and ask for $0 in return). IMO this one will age well, and would love to taste this bottle 10 years from now.
A great pull by Shay! Able to try a 1986 Bella, 03 Bella, and 99 Heitz Napa Cab all in one sitting. This 03 still has quite a bit of power, although the 86 was starting to fade. 86 was a good year overall, with some pretty crazy floods the winter before. 03 started out rather wet and finished rather hot but still produced good wines. This 03 to me seems like it will hold with better concentration than the 86. This wine took about 30 minutes to blow off some mushroom and vodka shot kind of funkiness. But afterwards this wine was ready to rock. Blackberry palate, pretty dense and rounded. The middle of this wine was very similar to the 99 Heitz Napa, but the finish was a bit short. Herbs and blackberry on the finish, with tannin structure that had started to give way. I am really impressed by these Heitz wines, and just don't think they get the respect they deserve nowadays (they're one of the only places that will pour you a $200 bottle of wine at a tasting and ask for $0 in return). IMO this one will age well, and would love to taste this bottle 10 years from now.
Mar 24th, 2018Cedar, mint, dark fruit, red fruit and tobacco. Love this stuff.
Cedar, mint, dark fruit, red fruit and tobacco. Love this stuff.
Jan 11th, 2018The first day this one was in a really weird place. Typical mint, but with a strand of cough syrup running through. Day 2 it blew off and was back to the red fruit, cocoa powder, mint combination I know and love. I saved one glass and let it evolve over the course of the last week. Still going strong -- cherry cola, menthol and a bit maderized. It's a shame Heitz sold this vineyard to Staglin....
The first day this one was in a really weird place. Typical mint, but with a strand of cough syrup running through. Day 2 it blew off and was back to the red fruit, cocoa powder, mint combination I know and love. I saved one glass and let it evolve over the course of the last week. Still going strong -- cherry cola, menthol and a bit maderized. It's a shame Heitz sold this vineyard to Staglin....
Jun 22nd, 2017Much better the second day. Mint, Cocoa powder and red fruit.
Much better the second day. Mint, Cocoa powder and red fruit.
May 23rd, 2017If you see this one. Get It !!
It is a lovely deep red. Dry fruit forward. Yum
If you see this one. Get It !!
It is a lovely deep red. Dry fruit forward. Yum
