Heitz Cellar

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

9.1113 ratings
9.112 pro ratings
Napa Valley, California, USA
Cabernet Sauvignon
Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Pasta, Venison, Tomato-Based, Potato, Pork, Chocolate & Caramel, White Rice, Mushrooms, Beef, Lamb, Chili & Hot Spicy
Top Notes For
Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.2

Off the reserve wine list at Pursuit Wine Bar on H Street for $83.00. Deep and dark ruby red. Layered nose with mushrooms, dark spices, a touch green, herbal, black currants and plums. Medium plus tannins (6.5/10) and medium to medium plus bodied. Really enjoy the kick of nutmeg on the palate with layers of blackberries, cassis, dark spices, crushed gravel and forest floor. Long finish and well rounded. Very surprised, got better with some air time. Drink till 2023.

Off the reserve wine list at Pursuit Wine Bar on H Street for $83.00. Deep and dark ruby red. Layered nose with mushrooms, dark spices, a touch green, herbal, black currants and plums. Medium plus tannins (6.5/10) and medium to medium plus bodied. Really enjoy the kick of nutmeg on the palate with layers of blackberries, cassis, dark spices, crushed gravel and forest floor. Long finish and well rounded. Very surprised, got better with some air time. Drink till 2023.

Oct 1st, 2017
Sean Genn

Heitz decided not to make any Martha's Vineyard or Trailside Vineyard designated wines in the 2011. Instead they put those grapes into their Napa Valley Cuvee and the Quality really shows. Gorgeous cassis and herbal eucalyptus notes. This goes to show that great Cabs were still produced in 2011.

Heitz decided not to make any Martha's Vineyard or Trailside Vineyard designated wines in the 2011. Instead they put those grapes into their Napa Valley Cuvee and the Quality really shows. Gorgeous cassis and herbal eucalyptus notes. This goes to show that great Cabs were still produced in 2011.

2 people found it helpfulOct 7th, 2015
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

8.7

Not their best. It's simply a product of a very cool vintage in Napa. It's soft and smooth but showing baked green bell pepper; which is not typical for Heitz in my experience. It's a drink now and over the next 3-5 years. Soft mid dark and light red fruits, sweet spice, star anise, sweet leather, burnt ambers and very soft sweet minerals & earth. Finishes lean but smooth. Green bell pepper fades after an hour in the decanter. Rating moves up to 8.8 or 8.9 after an hour decant.

Not their best. It's simply a product of a very cool vintage in Napa. It's soft and smooth but showing baked green bell pepper; which is not typical for Heitz in my experience. It's a drink now and over the next 3-5 years. Soft mid dark and light red fruits, sweet spice, star anise, sweet leather, burnt ambers and very soft sweet minerals & earth. Finishes lean but smooth. Green bell pepper fades after an hour in the decanter. Rating moves up to 8.8 or 8.9 after an hour decant.

Jun 18th, 2016
Marie Keep

Director of Fine Wines Skinner

9.0

Frrsh and vibrantly fragrant. Meadowy loveliness.

Frrsh and vibrantly fragrant. Meadowy loveliness.

May 19th, 2016
Manou Chahmirzadi

Lots of dark deep rich fruit with strong tannins. Needs time but I wanted a treat!!

Lots of dark deep rich fruit with strong tannins. Needs time but I wanted a treat!!

Apr 27th, 2016
Eric Crane

Sommelier & Educator Empire Wine Distributors

9.5

2011 Trailside

2011 Trailside

Sep 23rd, 2014
Paul J
8.8

Tough vintage. PnP. Medium red color. Nose and wine are very meaty and woody with some smoke. Olives and plums with minimal fruit. Big tannins. Would never guess a Napa Cab if tasting blind. Wasn’t bad, but not what the label says it is.

Tough vintage. PnP. Medium red color. Nose and wine are very meaty and woody with some smoke. Olives and plums with minimal fruit. Big tannins. Would never guess a Napa Cab if tasting blind. Wasn’t bad, but not what the label says it is.

Oct 16th, 2022
Paul J
8.9

PnP’d. Dark red color. Pretty average Napa Cab. Tannic and high OH with green elements. Harsh on the palate.

PnP’d. Dark red color. Pretty average Napa Cab. Tannic and high OH with green elements. Harsh on the palate.

Nov 21st, 2021
Paul J
8.9

Same as previous bottle, but more red than purple hues, more tannic, and is aging quickly.

Same as previous bottle, but more red than purple hues, more tannic, and is aging quickly.

Oct 15th, 2021
Aaron Johnson

10 year anniversary, bought 5 years ago

10 year anniversary, bought 5 years ago

Sep 19th, 2021