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! — 2 days ago

Ted Corvey

9.3

Shockingly young. Took nearly an hour in a the decanter to express. Wish I set aside for first hour or so. Classic Cali Cab. Velvety finish bordering on ensconced. — 3 years ago

Deb Dellaposta

9.1

Could have decanted as it was still showing young. Nice vibrant color and ripe red and black fruits. Well balanced and very nice for an entry level Mondavi. Wish I had more. — 4 years ago

with Ryan

Bob McDonald

9.4

Typical nose of an Art Series Chardonnay with that dried pear character. On the medium weight palate a nice combination of ripe grapefruit and under ripe yellow peach. Medium minus acid. One can’t help but love this Chardonnay. A wonderful terroir, the Gin Gin clone, great winemaking, and an excellent vintage - ticks all the boxes. At its peak but enough acid for a few more years if you wish. That was my last bottle of the 2011. — 2 months ago

Perry Atha

9.3

Absolutely delicious !!! Elegant- smooth sensual - everything you could ever wish for in a Pinot !! Order if you can find it!!! — 2 years ago

with Rob and Gene

Alder Yarrow

Wine Blogger Vinography

9.2

Mostly we were drinking Champagne, but we needed something to go with some meat so we opted for this half bottle of spicy blackberry and black pepper, cassis, flowers, and mushroom umami that made me very happy. Supple, restrained tannins, and of course phenomenal acidity. Wish I had a few bigger bottles of this to age for a few years. — 4 years ago

James Everhart

9.0

Like a rich Chardonnay. 2021 vintage for $25. Wish I could find more of it. — 2 months ago

Joe Weinberger

9.3

Still very youthful, but in a great spot and open for business. Wish I had bought another. — 10 months ago

Lars Kirstein

9.1

A prototype red Bordeaux in my opinion, perfect time to drink it now, good fruity nose with leather and Graphit, medium body, red fruits, good acidity, medium finish and a mouthwatering wish for the next Glas — 3 years ago

MaJ CappS

8.9

Smells like a spiced pastry

Lively! Red stars dance across the tongue for only a meaty mingling moment, before the tannins start smacking every part of the mouth, up, down, left, right, Jab, Jab, Ka-pow! Those knock out tannins longer on and on.. and on..
Wish I had bought 2 bottles, this needs at least 5 years to relax those teen tannins.
I mean, don’t close your mouth for too long on these tannins, as they act like a vacuum and super glue. You’ll never get your jaws apart.. — 4 years ago