1999 Heitz Cellar "Martha's Vineyard" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

SKU #5001414 94 points Wine Enthusiast

Opens with powerful aromas of cedar, toasty oak and vanilla perfume framing ripe black currant and mocha. Turns wonderfully smooth in the mouth. Plump and ripe in cherry and currant fruit, it’s beautiful now, but has the tannins and balance to last forever. (11/ 2004)

92 points Wine Spectator

Spicy mint and bay leaf aromas mingle with ripe currant and black cherry fruit, turning smooth and elegant on the palate while displaying richness, depth and concentration; finishes with a full chorus of ripe fruit flavors and firm yet supple tannins. (11/ 2004)

90 points Connoisseurs Guide

If sharing a certain slightly minty aspect with its sibling below, this very solid young wine is slightly less outgoing in fruit, but it is a touch deeper in character and shows a little more varietal range. It leads with suppleness in the mouth but is roughed up in the latter going by moderate tannins, and it shows a slight trim of heat at the finish. Its tougher traits notwithstanding, it is a deep, well-filled and eminently ageworthy working that looks to get better with anywhere from five to ten years of additional cellar time. (8/ 2004)

K&L Notes

The 1999 Martha's Vineyard Cabernet is a beautifully crafted wine that reflects the outstanding quality of the 1999 vintage. This intense and remarkable wine has just enough mint to balance the ripe plum and berry flavors. The mouth feel is incredibly smooth with a core of richness that hits your mid-palate and then pleasantly lingers. The well-balanced finish of the 1999 Martha's Cabernet is exceptionally long and lasting. This dark and rich wine is ready to drink now, but will continue to age gracefully for many years to come. Aged for one year in American oak and 2 ½ years in French Limousin barrels.