2018 vintage, semi structured and good fruit. Short finish but enjoyable — 2 months ago
‘16 Pezerolles En Fuego. — 4 months ago
Bright white Burgundy (Chardonnay) served with scallops at The Banks Seafood restaurant, Back Bay, Boston — 8 months ago
Anytime an older Heitz Martha’s is open, it’s a treat. I’ve tried to acquire a few random bottles over the years and they have consistently impressed (‘78 and ‘01, specifically). My first early ‘90s vintage.
Quick double decant to simply get the wine off sediment as it wouldn’t be consumed from a decanter at the location I would be at.
In my experience, the distinct and typical eucalyptus notes jump right at pop, but this bottle was a little subdued early on. After an hour with the cork out, the eucalyptus, herbs, cedar and red fruit made their entrance. Compared to the ‘91 Hartwell I opened a few months ago, this was more elegant and less dense on the mid-palate. If not for the eucalyptus, I could see this being called left bank Bordeaux with 30yrs on it. Gained some darker red/underripe black fruit notes the longer it was open. Beautiful length at the finish. Bright acidity and tannin. Not getting better, but a wonderful drinking window to enjoy now. — a month ago
Yeah man. Wow. We’ve got cedar, baking spice, black cherry, blackberries, all in perfect harmony. Goes great with this Chinese dinner w five spice — 4 months ago
Somm David T
Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator
A night of finishing coravined 07’s.
A purchase on the secondary market about 8 plus months ago. Its storage not what mine would show at this point. It’s farther advanced from what it should be at this stage, but still enjoyable. Showing some liqueur notes.
I feel similarly about this producers Napa Cabernets as I do Joseph Phelps. There’s differences and I lean into Phelps Napa over most of the Heitz Napa’s.
The nose shows baked & slightly stewed fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark slightly liqueured cherries, both plums stewed, cherries, raspberries, tree bark with sap, mid berry cola, delicate baking spices-nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, vanillin, spices, anise to black licorice, black tea, fresh & old tobacco, sweet tarriness, withering & just slightly, candied flowers that are dark at the core, red, withering red roses with violets.
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The palate is ripe, a touch lush & ruby; blackberries, black raspberries, dark slightly liqueured cherries, both plums, cherries & raspberries. Tree bark with sap, mid berry cola, delicate baking spices-nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, vanillin, caramel, malt balls, menthol, dark spices with some palate heat, anise to black licorice, expresso, milk chocolate w/ toffee bit’s, black tea, fresh & old tobacco, sweet tarriness, sweet forest floor w/ dry leaves, withering & just slightly, candied flowers that are dark at the core, red, withering red roses with violets, excellent acidity, well balanced/crafted, nicely tensioned & elegance/polish for days with a finish that lasts 90 seconds and lands evenly on earthiness & spice. — 9 days ago