Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

92 is rounding up a bit.

A couple things before notes. I have had other Heidi wines but not hers & Bo’s. Just wasn’t feeling retail-ish on the B&B, nor had anyone open one for me. This surfaced at just under half price. So, time to check this Heidi box.

This is a 2017; which many shied away from. Hence, the buy at half price. I would have said in my two coravined previous tastings on different nights, the fruit was nice and it still is nice. However, in getting to the bottom 1/3 of the bottle, it has taken on some additional depth & character. I imagine still not as much depth & character as their better vintages.

The nose shows some nice candied florals and mid fruits with a dark core. Some smoke (it is not smoke taint as they finished harvesting on 10/3 and the Tubbs & Atlas fires started 10/8) dry tobacco, new leather, oak, dry herbs, darker cola, moist volcanics & clay, withering dark & red flowers.

The palate is definitely one of the drier Napa Cabernets I’ve had lately. Feels like it leaves dry oak powder all over your mouth. M+ dry tannins. The fruits are bright & ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, plum, some purple fruits, lean strawberries & cherries. Smoke, dry tobacco, new leather, oak, dark spice, leaner baking spices profile, a bit of dark chocolate baking bar, dry herbs, darker cola, moist volcanics & clay, dry topsoil, dry limestone powder, black tea, dry tree bark w/ a touch of sap, withering dark & red flowers, acidity is sound-ish, it just ticks the box of balanced, tension & structure is solid, finishes short-under a minute and a little thin in the mid palate, some elegance and lands on oak, earthiness & spice.

It’s still early on this and there is room for improvement with some more evolution & integration but don’t believe this 2017 will ever live up to its winery price point. — 23 days ago

Mark Mannebach

9.3

Complex with notes apple, caramel, wet stone, slight straw tones. — 2 months ago

Ron R

9.4

You know when it’s good cos you immediately go online searching for more. This is our last bottle.
Bivio Pizzeria, Montclair. — 4 months ago

with Anne-marie

Andrea Watt

9.1

Clove, leather, and cherry. Rich and deep. — 9 days ago

Andrea Watt

9.4

Rich and smooth, with clove, cassis, and oak. — 9 days ago

Samantha b

9.0

Lots of peach, very smooth and light — a month ago

Bill Mowry

9.3

Still young, but drinking beautifully once it opens up. Cherry, chocolate, and plum. — 3 months ago

with Paul, Olivia and 2 others

Andrea Watt

9.0

Coffee, leather, and raspberry. Lighter, fruity, but with good structure. — 9 days ago

Doug Powers

9.2

Lovely mature Cabernet fruit, structure, yet seems fully mature or close to mature, a real treat to taste an older CA Cabernet with age (@ 12.5% ABV to boot), lovely!! — a month ago

with Jim

Jason Phillips

9.0

Good nose. Coats the palate well with good balance. Lasting finish. — 3 months ago