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3 magnums per lot
Details
1974 *****
A cool spring, moderate summer weather, and warm harevest made this year see textbook perfect. The crop was large, and the grapes ripened steadily and well. The best wines were dark, concentrated, tannic in their youth, and seemed long-lived. A few of the tannic versions turned out to be fat and ponderous, but the other big wines were developing inner beauty and complexity within a decade. Many of the medium-priced, moderately tannic wines matured nicely and peaked around their 10th year, with good holding ability. Ridge Monte Bello and Heitz Martha's Vineyard are widely seen as the top wines of the vintage, good examples are still around. However, as with any vintage, some disappointments mar this vintage. Still, it is an excellent one.
MB
HEITZ
Though there are other producers of California Cabernet Sauvignon and Heitz vinifies other vineyards of this varietal, the history of high quality Cabernet in the modern era was established and defined by this winning combination. Joe Heitz moved to the Napa Valley in the 1950s and worked at Beaulieu under the legendary Andre Tchelistcheff. Heitz soon started selling his own bulk wines, but truly found his stride when he bought fruit from Tom and Martha May's 34 acre Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard in 1966. The dark cassis fruit and cedar notes, reminiscent of a first or second growth Pauillac, are augmented by the Californicated ripe fruit and distinctive mint/eucalyptus character. The '74 is a monumental wine aging at a glacier pace with the '85 not far behind in density. Not to be forgotten, Joe Heitz's consistency and meticulousness rendered strong efforts in many so-called weaker vintages in the '70s and '80s that are still drinking well today for a fraction of the price of the two aforementioned revered brethren. Unfortunately, this famed vineyard had to be replanted in the early 1990s, and its storied history was interrupted. Early tastings of the '97 and '99 vintages are promising and the quality will only increase with the age of the vines.
JC
Heitz Cellars, Martha's Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon--Vintage 1974
Napa Valley
Levels: into neck; one slightly depressed cork, one nicked label
"Next a superb magnum in January 2000, and nine months later faultless bottles: still deep, fairly intense; unmistakable eucalyptus nose; crisp, high extract, excellent flavour and length. Great wine. Last noted at a dinner hosted by Lord Rothschild in the Diary at Waddesdon Manor, Oct 2000 *****" MB, Vintage Wine
3 magnums per lot
A cool spring, moderate summer weather, and warm harevest made this year see textbook perfect. The crop was large, and the grapes ripened steadily and well. The best wines were dark, concentrated, tannic in their youth, and seemed long-lived. A few of the tannic versions turned out to be fat and ponderous, but the other big wines were developing inner beauty and complexity within a decade. Many of the medium-priced, moderately tannic wines matured nicely and peaked around their 10th year, with good holding ability. Ridge Monte Bello and Heitz Martha's Vineyard are widely seen as the top wines of the vintage, good examples are still around. However, as with any vintage, some disappointments mar this vintage. Still, it is an excellent one.
MB
HEITZ
Though there are other producers of California Cabernet Sauvignon and Heitz vinifies other vineyards of this varietal, the history of high quality Cabernet in the modern era was established and defined by this winning combination. Joe Heitz moved to the Napa Valley in the 1950s and worked at Beaulieu under the legendary Andre Tchelistcheff. Heitz soon started selling his own bulk wines, but truly found his stride when he bought fruit from Tom and Martha May's 34 acre Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard in 1966. The dark cassis fruit and cedar notes, reminiscent of a first or second growth Pauillac, are augmented by the Californicated ripe fruit and distinctive mint/eucalyptus character. The '74 is a monumental wine aging at a glacier pace with the '85 not far behind in density. Not to be forgotten, Joe Heitz's consistency and meticulousness rendered strong efforts in many so-called weaker vintages in the '70s and '80s that are still drinking well today for a fraction of the price of the two aforementioned revered brethren. Unfortunately, this famed vineyard had to be replanted in the early 1990s, and its storied history was interrupted. Early tastings of the '97 and '99 vintages are promising and the quality will only increase with the age of the vines.
JC
Heitz Cellars, Martha's Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon--Vintage 1974
Napa Valley
Levels: into neck; one slightly depressed cork, one nicked label
"Next a superb magnum in January 2000, and nine months later faultless bottles: still deep, fairly intense; unmistakable eucalyptus nose; crisp, high extract, excellent flavour and length. Great wine. Last noted at a dinner hosted by Lord Rothschild in the Diary at Waddesdon Manor, Oct 2000 *****" MB, Vintage Wine
3 magnums per lot