Heitz Cellar
Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California, USA
Plush and plummy. Quite alcoholic. Broad and quite savory.
Plush and plummy. Quite alcoholic. Broad and quite savory.
Mar 4th, 2023
I can’t imagine drinking this wine at a better stage in its development. Definitely has retained its “old school” bona fides both in terms of quality and style. Though you’d be wrong to call it “green,” it has that eucalyptus-y herbaceous character in spades that harkens back to better days and is unmistakably Martha’s. The acid is firm and carries with it a nice mix of fairly youthful berry and currant flavors, while the tannins speak softly but carry a big stick. It is certainly a food wine and I dare say that what was on our plate was ideal - roasted beef tenderloin, sautéed mushrooms with a splash of Madeira, Sancerre-marinated asparagus, and potatoes mashed by an Irishman. Merry Christmas indeed.
I can’t imagine drinking this wine at a better stage in its development. Definitely has retained its “old school” bona fides both in terms of quality and style. Though you’d be wrong to call it “green,” it has that eucalyptus-y herbaceous character in spades that harkens back to better days and is unmistakably Martha’s. The acid is firm and carries with it a nice mix of fairly youthful berry and currant flavors, while the tannins speak softly but carry a big stick. It is certainly a food wine and I dare say that what was on our plate was ideal - roasted beef tenderloin, sautéed mushrooms with a splash of Madeira, Sancerre-marinated asparagus, and potatoes mashed by an Irishman. Merry Christmas indeed.
Dec 26th, 2017
Wine of the night.
Wine of the night.
Mar 2nd, 2013
Decanted for three hours. Merry Christmas.
Decanted for three hours. Merry Christmas.
Dec 26th, 2020Vintage 99 bottled 2003. Smooth drinking when sheltering in place.
Vintage 99 bottled 2003. Smooth drinking when sheltering in place.
Apr 22nd, 2020
One of these bottles came out to play tonight, and I dare say it gave a Kapcsandy 2003 and a Favia 2009 Cerro Sur a run for its money. Between this wine and the Favia, I'm not sure which one I really liked more. I think they were both WOTN for different reasons. This wine started out with a funk that was a little bit strange right out of the bottle. A little hay and mushroom that had to die off. For the first 30 minutes, the wine was a little muted with regard to fruit. Lots of glycerine on the palate, but increased as it sat in the decanter. The wine eventually had a nice aged and completely ripe blackberry note that was ever present from front to finish. An herbaceous quality crept in and out throughout the entire experience, and finished rather bold for its age. Very impressed with this bottle. I have quite a bit more of the 2001 that I think I'm MORE impressed with, but this one certainly showed well.
One of these bottles came out to play tonight, and I dare say it gave a Kapcsandy 2003 and a Favia 2009 Cerro Sur a run for its money. Between this wine and the Favia, I'm not sure which one I really liked more. I think they were both WOTN for different reasons. This wine started out with a funk that was a little bit strange right out of the bottle. A little hay and mushroom that had to die off. For the first 30 minutes, the wine was a little muted with regard to fruit. Lots of glycerine on the palate, but increased as it sat in the decanter. The wine eventually had a nice aged and completely ripe blackberry note that was ever present from front to finish. An herbaceous quality crept in and out throughout the entire experience, and finished rather bold for its age. Very impressed with this bottle. I have quite a bit more of the 2001 that I think I'm MORE impressed with, but this one certainly showed well.
Aug 26th, 2017
Cedar and bay leaf on the nose. Very smooth and elegant in the mouth, with tastes of cherries and currants.
Cedar and bay leaf on the nose. Very smooth and elegant in the mouth, with tastes of cherries and currants.
Dec 12th, 2016
A classic from Napa, this 1999 Martha's Vineyard is definitely past its prime, but still a pleasure to drink. The tannins have largely disappeared (but made for a great match with a fantastic cut of filet mignon from the local butcher). Most of the primary aromas are gone, but some great secondary notes of leather and spice remain (the absence of the tell-tale eucalyptus from Martha's was a bit surprising). Color density is still pretty impressive after almost 17 years! Finishes a bit thin, but this wine has held up beautifully. Had an amazing tasting with David Heitz back in 2005 and this brings back all those memories. Cheers to one of the pioneering wine families of Napa Valley!
A classic from Napa, this 1999 Martha's Vineyard is definitely past its prime, but still a pleasure to drink. The tannins have largely disappeared (but made for a great match with a fantastic cut of filet mignon from the local butcher). Most of the primary aromas are gone, but some great secondary notes of leather and spice remain (the absence of the tell-tale eucalyptus from Martha's was a bit surprising). Color density is still pretty impressive after almost 17 years! Finishes a bit thin, but this wine has held up beautifully. Had an amazing tasting with David Heitz back in 2005 and this brings back all those memories. Cheers to one of the pioneering wine families of Napa Valley!
Jul 23rd, 2016