Shay A

9.5

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! — 4 hours ago

Raul Puga

10

Celebrating my baby girl’s 21st with an amazing bottle. A bit sweet to start but as it opened up it evolved through the night and was utterly amazing. The 10 is for my daughter but the wine is a solid 9.7. Decanted for an hour — 6 hours ago

Tom Garland

9.7

At Diamond Creek Vineyards
Decades of Rarities Wine Dinner
Prepared by chef Ken Frank from La Toque, Napa.

WINES
2015 Cristal champagne
2006 late disgorged L'Ermitage, Roederer estate
2011 Red Rock Terrace 1.5L
2001 Gravelly Meadows, 3L
1991 Volcanic Hill, 5L
1990 Lake, 3L

FOOD
Wellfleet Bay Scallop "pan roast"
Tagliatelle al Vino Rosso
Roasted rack of Veal
Cheese course
Warm apple tart — 22 days ago

with Brenda

Brandon Boesch

9.6

Best wine list deal in SF and maybe the country! So good. Needed decant but was so complex and tasted amazing with the prime rib. Cocoa, tea, a bit of wood, dark fruits. So lovely. — a day ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.1

Good wine but not the style I personally enjoy. — 2 days ago

Herb Listen

9.1

Ordered from First cellar fall 2024. Gave one to James & Stacey — 14 hours ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Enjoyed alongside some other Napa legends from the 80’s and 90’s. The 1985 is lovely and came more than willing, with a mix of tart, ripe and desiccated red fruits, Montmorency cherries, red currants, graphite, toasted coconut, leather and nuts. There was a slightly sherried character early on the nose but the structure seemed to defy age. No need to cellar further as this is delicious now and well stored examples should continue to be through 2030+. — 22 days ago

Brandon Boesch

9.5

Unbelievable! So tasty right from first pour. It’s big but there’s a lightness to it that is so refreshing. — a day ago

Conrad Green

9.2

Touch and type. Confit lemon, corn, honey. Nice acidity and presence. — 6 days ago

with Gregg and Rick

Jeff Miller

9.5

Fantastic Napa cab that’s in a beautiful spot right now. Well balanced. Notes of Blackberry, Cassis, Pencil Shavings, Mint, and that ever present Rutherford Dust. — 4 days ago

with Ted