After missing a ‘70s and ‘80s Heitz vertical many years ago, I vowed to seek out a bottle as all the comments from the tasting were astoundingly positive. My last bottle of Heitz Martha’s was the ‘01 (which was great) a few years ago, but at 46yrs, this was quite the experience.
The ‘78 has a bit of a legendary status, so expectations were high. Upon opening, the cork was in good shape (sigh of relief) and the color was unbelievably dark ruby with some bricking (another sigh of relief). The singular signature menthol/eucalyptus began to fill the glass, alongside aromatics of red berry fruits, espresso, some sort of sweet brown sugar/caramel note, and a savory-graphite type note too. Beautifully elegant on the palate with more red fruit, herbs (bay leaf?), and even some pipe tobacco (subdued, not in your face), but it sports the classical old Napa cab profile that is pure. Spectacular wine, and I could simply smell the wine all day…the aromatics were so powerful the entire time.
Open in bottle for three hours and powered through the entire time. Wish I had another so I could have the same experience! — a month ago
Drinking perfectly — a month ago
Longtime favorite and I snap up this foxy number whenever I see it. Crunchy strawberry and herbs, a bit of animal and yeast at the end but not too much to compromise the freshness. I don’t think this ages and should be drunk up but that doesn’t make it any less special — a month ago
Delightful with thanksgiving turkey. — a month ago
Ericsson
Old world in style with delicate fruit, subtle wood notes, some tannin, and firm acidity. Assemblage of Cabs from Oakville, Rutherford, St. Helena, and Howell Mountain which accentuate the Napa terroir. — 6 days ago