Sagee Aran

9.3

The 21 edition, 2019. Powerful and smooth, like a Napa origin with a finesse.
selection of Montepulciano, Sangiovese, Primitivo, Negroamaro, and MalvasiaNera.

Deep garnet red. Very intense and persistent, with notes of cherry and blackcurrant, herbs, cinnamon, and hints of mineral. Good balance between alcohol and freshness, velvety tannins, and very persistence with a long finish(winemaker notes, I agree with the — 18 days ago

Youngcheul Kim

8.9

2020 vintage on June 29th. 2024 — 3 months ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.4

One of my favorite lots from the 2020 #pnv #pnv20 #pnv2020 only 5 cases produced. A small blended selection of our finest Cabernet Sauvignon for Premiere Napa Valley
100% Cabernet Sauvignon from our top sites in the Howell Mountain, Oakville, Rutherford and St. Helena nested appellations
Aging in oak tanks for one year, new French Limousin oak barrels for three years, and then one year in bottle

When the Lawrence family acquired Heitz Cellar in April 2018, they discovered a single dusty bottle in the wine library; a bottle of 1969 Lot C-91 Cabernet Sauvignon. After researching, we discovered wine collectors around the world had a few rare bottles in their cellar as well. Upon learning its origin and Joe Heitz’s inspiration for this singular bottling 50 years prior, we knew that it was time to rekindle the essence of this remarkable cuvée. In order to express the very best of Napa Valley, our winemaker began blending trials of our single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons in barrel, kept separate throughout their élevage. Sampling from barrels of our Oakville, Rutherford, Howell Mountain and St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon, Brittany Sherwood found the perfect marriage of these outstanding standalone wines. After blending, the wine continues to age in 100 percent new, French Limousin oak barrels for three years, followed by aging in bottle for an additional year. With the breadth of estate terroir that Heitz Cellar is fortunate to cultivate, we are able to create the quintessential Cabernet Sauvignon that embodies the elegance, ruggedness, refinement and balance that is uniquely Napa Valley. — 3 years ago

with Ron

Sandy Wolf

9.4

A perfect white, creamy but refreshing. Made with native yeasts and a female winemaker to boot. And a steal at $10. — 4 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

I was given this tasting kit they sometimes send to customers on their list at this year’s Pebble Beach Food & Wine.

All their reds show beautiful noses that are ripe & nicely candied fruits; creamy blackberries & black raspberries, dark plum, mulberries, sweet dark cherries, juicy strawberries. Chocolate cake & pudding, mid berry cola/licorice, black licorice, dry earth, beautifully soft, baking spices, caramel, mocha, sandalwood, soft, fresh tobacco, restrained leather with brilliantly candied & florals that are; dark, red and framed in lavender & violets.

I sound like a broken record on this sixth wine, elegant, fresh, plush, velvety, round, soft supple tannins on this well balanced elegant entry. They are simple gorgeous and easy to drink young. Yet, I still can’t stress showing restraint on these 21’s and waiting 7 or more years. Wow…haven’t been this impressed in a Napa tasting in some time. Ripe & nicely candied fruits; creamy blackberries & black raspberries, dark plum, mulberries, sweet dark cherries, juicy strawberries. Chocolate cake & pudding, mid berry cola/licorice, black licorice, soy dry earth, beautifully soft, baking spices, caramel, mocha, dark spice, dry herbs, dry top soil/brush, sandalwood, wet clay, sandstone, soft, fresh tobacco, restrained leather, right amount of lead pencil with brilliantly candied & florals that are; dark, red and framed in lavender & violets. Wire to wire great length & straight up consistency from entry to long finish. Perfect, round, rain shower acidity and amazingly balanced, structured, tensioned, elegant, plush, finish that is without end.

I really like this barrel selection & toast for their wines. Outstanding!

There are a host of people involved in making Lithology wines; on the ground, Winemaker/Geologist, Matt Sands. Assistant Winemaker is Mark Pittman. Consulting; the world’s largest Wine Consultant-Michel Rolland, Philippe Melka & Maayan Koschitzky whose resume includes, vineyards in Israel to Screaming Eagle and Dalla Valle.

Photos of; my tasting kit, one of their single Vineyard Cabernet garage, facility and on the ground Winemaker, Matt Sands. — 2 months ago

Arden Barnett

10

Super fun tasting through a selection of Dirty and Rowdy’s. While there wasn’t a bad bottle in this lineup, the 2017 Enz was lights out... Was a treat having the winemaker Hardy Wallace join us via Zoom. What we expected to be a 30min or so zoom call to walk us through the lineup turned into 2 hours of learning about the various vineyards Hardy works with and diving into his philosophy on wine. An afternoon I’ll never forget! Thanks Clare for making this happen! — 4 years ago

with Clare and Jack

Jeff Thompson

10

Mine is Winemaker Selection Red Blend. My last trip was to Portugal and this is taking me back. Smells ancient, then tastes surprising light but still ancient. Flavour is poppin. Love this so much. Can’t wait to have with BBQ tonight. — 4 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

I was given this tasting kit they sometimes send to customers on their list at this year’s Pebble Beach Food & Wine.

Gorgeous nose that shows ruby, plush, slightly candied-gummy, floral fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, mulberries, gooseberries, black plum, slightly pan chard dark cherries, ripe strawberries & raspberries on the edge of the glass. Chocolate cake, plum pudding, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, some black pepper, mix of soft, dry, moist tobacco, barrel shavings to sandalwood, soft baking spices: light clove, nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, moist volcanics & grey, wet clay, dry river stone, light dry herbs, dry crushed rock & brush with dry, perfumed florals that are; dark red, blue framed in a field of lavender & violets.

Gorgeous, seductive entry and mouthfeel. Buyers are going struggle not to open and drink these 21’s early. They are that good now and people that read this nonsense that I post almost never reads as such! But, I’d still hold to get full price of admission. Lithography craft & wine prices necessitate it. Floral, ripe, juicy fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, mulberries, gooseberries, black plum, slightly pan chard dark cherries, ripe strawberries & raspberries on the edge of the glass. Chocolate cake, plum pudding, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, dark spice with heat that cools as it sets, some black pepper, mix of soft, dry, moist tobacco, some black pepper, barrel shavings to sandalwood, soft baking spices: light clove & nutmeg, cinnamon & vanillin, most volcanics & grey, wet clay, dry river stone, dry herbs, dry crushed rock & brush with dry, perfumed florals that are; dark red, blue framed in a field of lavender & violets. Grand round acidity with a plush, rich, balanced, elegant finish’s that seems not to end, but falls on dry earth spice.

I really like this barrel selection & toast for their wines. Outstanding!

There are a host of people involved in making Lithology wines; on the ground, Winemaker/Geologist, Matt Sands. Assistant Winemaker is Mark Pittman. Consulting; the world’s largest Wine Consultant-Michel Rolland, Philippe Melka & Maayan Koschitzky whose resume includes, vineyards in Israel to Screaming Eagle and Dalla Valle.

Photos of; my tasting kit, one of their single Vineyard Cabernet garage, facility and on the ground Winemaker, Matt Sands. — 2 months ago

Caro

9.6

Strong berry with a hint of chocolate. Rich taste. So enjoyed this drop. Definitely recommend and buy again. — 3 years ago

Ericsson

9.5

Modern take on Ribera del Duero from select vineyards. The color is deep purple, indicative of the 60+ year old vine grape selection. An expressive nose with scents of black fruits, tobacco and leather. The mouthfeel is equally expressive with cherry, blackberry, oak, vanilla, and licorice. The tannings are soft for such a young Tempranillo, and it is not slander but quite the contrary, it allows for the elegant finish with finesse and length. Very exiting wine!
…
PS The mastermind/winemaker behind Aalto made his mark at Vega Sicilia for over 30 years. It is no surprise the wine is excellent; it will be exciting to see how the wine evolves over the next decade and how it will challenge some of the greatest wines produced in the region.
— 4 years ago