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: 1997 Heitz Cellar "Martha's Vineyard" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

1997 Heitz Cellar "Martha's Vineyard" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

SKU #996988 97 points Decanter

Outer quote mark The 1997 is one of the modern-day icons from Martha's Vineyard, and only the second vintage to be produced after the 1993 replanting. A rich and complex bouquet of ripe black cherry, mint chocolate, cassis and mocha is the prelude to a plush, expansive palate with remarkable volume and intensity. The velvety quality of the tannins is particularly special. While this is certainly a ripe vintage, the Heitz team produced a wine with impeccable balance which is only just entering the beginning of its drinking window. Every time I encounter it, it seems better than the last. (WK) Inner quote mark (10/2017)

97 points John Gilman

Outer quote mark There have only been three vintages in the history of the Martha’s Vineyard bottling that have been given unique labels by the winery: the 1974, 1985 and 1997. When I asked Kathleen Heitz Myers about this, she said that the special labels were selected to denote vintages of absolutely extraordinary character. The 1997, which was only the second vintage to be produced from the replanted vineyard, is indeed a brilliant young vintage of Martha’s, as it soars from the glass in a deep and youthfully beautiful blend of black cherries, cassis, saddle leather, woodsmoke, gentle notes of eucalyptus and still a touch of cedary oak spice. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, pure and rock solid at the core, with ripe tannins, excellent focus and outstanding length and grip on the perfectly poised finish. A tad less ripe than some of the recent vintages, the 1997 Martha’s tips the scales at 14.3% alcohol and seems likely to be one of the all-time classics in the history of this bottling. Inner quote mark (5/2011)

95 points Vinous

Outer quote mark A deep, intense wine, the 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon Martha's Vineyard is rich and beautifully layered, with sweeping stature. Dark red cherry, crushed flowers, mint and spice fill out in the glass. At eighteen years of age, the 1997 tastes more like a ten year-old wine! There is no shortage of personality here, but readers need to give the 1997 at least another few years to allow some of the baby fat to melt off. (AG) Inner quote mark (10/2015)

94 points James Suckling

Outer quote mark This is layered and intriguing with blackberry, tar and burnt-orange character. Full to medium body and lightly chewy tannins. Fresh and linear. Hints of walnuts. Real Napa wine. Inner quote mark (5/2017)

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1997 Heitz Cellar "Martha's Vineyard" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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Varietal:

Cabernet Sauvignon and Blends

- Cabernet Sauvignon has come a long way from its role as a blending varietal, however dominant, in the wines of Bordeaux. Today it is the most planted red varietal in the world. Identified as a descendent of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc, the late-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon needs to be planted in warmer climates to fully ripen. Its small berries can easily be identified for their distinctive blue color, thick skins and high tannins. And while the varietal has its own definitive characteristics: green pepper-like aromas and black currant flavors among them, it is perhaps most prized for its ability to convey terroir, vintage and winemaking. A relatively new varietal, Cabernet Sauvignon started making inroads into the wines of the Médoc and Graves in the late-18th century. Today it is also dominant in the up-and-coming Entre-Deux-Mers region of Bordeaux and can also be found in Southwest France. It is the companion varietal to Sangiovese in Italy's Super Tuscans and is planted all over Europe, stretching to lesser-known winegrowing regions like Russia and Lebanon. In the Americas Cabernet Sauvignon has found champions in every nook and cranny of California and among winemakers in Washington, where it complements plantings of Merlot. In South America, Cab thrives in Chile, but can also be found in smaller amounts in Argentina and even in Mexico.

Country:

United States

- When people consider domestic wine, they normally think about the state of California. The fine viticultural Region within California, including the Napa Valley, Sonoma, Santa Cruz Mountains, Mendocino and Santa Barbara, are capable of growing grapes of world-class quality. But there's plenty of fabulous wine coming from other states, too. Oregon, Washington and New York are also causing eyebrows (and glassware) to be raised around the world.

Sub-Region:

California

- With the explosive growth that California's wine industry has seen the past several years, it's easy to view winemaking and grape growing in the Golden State as a recent phenomenon. And while it's true that California's viticultural history is brief compared to several European countries, this state's roots date back well over 200 years. Due to the enormous response to California wine within the United States and worldwide, there are thousands of excellent and diverse wines being produced within the state each year.

Specific Appellation:

Napa Valley

- America's most famous wine region, which encompasses a varied geographical territory running about 20 miles long from the San Francisco Bay northward to the foot of Mount St. Helena. Napa's great diversity, both in terms of climate and terroir, has led to the creation of a number of smaller AVAs like Stags Leap District, Rutherford, Howell Mountain, Oakville and Mount Veeder, among others. Cabernet and chardonnay still reign supreme, but just about everything under the sun is grown in Napa Valley, in quality levels ranging from $2 jug wine to $500 a bottle California cab.

Alcohol Content (%):

14.5