Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

A night of finishing coravined 07’s.

A purchase on the secondary market about 8 plus months ago. Its storage not what mine would show at this point. It’s farther advanced from what it should be at this stage, but still enjoyable. Showing some liqueur notes.

I feel similarly about this producers Napa Cabernets as I do Joseph Phelps. There’s differences and I lean into Phelps Napa over most of the Heitz Napa’s.

The nose shows baked & slightly stewed fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark slightly liqueured cherries, both plums stewed, cherries, raspberries, tree bark with sap, mid berry cola, delicate baking spices-nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, vanillin, spices, anise to black licorice, black tea, fresh & old tobacco, sweet tarriness, withering & just slightly, candied flowers that are dark at the core, red, withering red roses with violets.
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The palate is ripe, a touch lush & ruby; blackberries, black raspberries, dark slightly liqueured cherries, both plums, cherries & raspberries. Tree bark with sap, mid berry cola, delicate baking spices-nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, vanillin, caramel, malt balls, menthol, dark spices with some palate heat, anise to black licorice, expresso, milk chocolate w/ toffee bit’s, black tea, fresh & old tobacco, sweet tarriness, sweet forest floor w/ dry leaves, withering & just slightly, candied flowers that are dark at the core, red, withering red roses with violets, excellent acidity, well balanced/crafted, nicely tensioned & elegance/polish for days with a finish that lasts 90 seconds and lands evenly on earthiness & spice. — 16 days ago

KCG

9.6

Gorgeous aromatics. So good.

AZ and MZ — 7 days ago

Shay A

9.4

Anytime an older Heitz Martha’s is open, it’s a treat. I’ve tried to acquire a few random bottles over the years and they have consistently impressed (‘78 and ‘01, specifically). My first early ‘90s vintage.

Quick double decant to simply get the wine off sediment as it wouldn’t be consumed from a decanter at the location I would be at.

In my experience, the distinct and typical eucalyptus notes jump right at pop, but this bottle was a little subdued early on. After an hour with the cork out, the eucalyptus, herbs, cedar and red fruit made their entrance. Compared to the ‘91 Hartwell I opened a few months ago, this was more elegant and less dense on the mid-palate. If not for the eucalyptus, I could see this being called left bank Bordeaux with 30yrs on it. Gained some darker red/underripe black fruit notes the longer it was open. Beautiful length at the finish. Bright acidity and tannin. Not getting better, but a wonderful drinking window to enjoy now. — 2 months ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.5

At 20 years top wines needs to be in a good place. Not a fan of 20+ aging - for reds. AND? Excellent cork. Some oxidation. Brown tinge. Plenty of tannins left - give it 10 min at least!!! Tobacco, plums, peaches? Rust. Touch orange juice. Hint oregano. Really coats your mouth. Incredibly mellowed out. Plenty of acid. COMPLEX. A little rustic - not elegant but bold and big. This is what Pommard should be classic. World class for Pommard. To keep this longer would be nuts - drink up! What a wine! — 20 days ago

Dave

9.0

I don't know. This wine is good, and 2018 was very good for Napa. But, to me, this drinks like $30. Don't shoot! 🤞
Listening to Nada Surf. — 21 days ago

Wally Jackpot

9.8

Brilliant spectacular delicious — a month ago

Dan Cobb

9.3

2018 vintage, semi structured and good fruit. Short finish but enjoyable — 2 months ago

Her Mir Tage

9.0

Domaine Armand Rousseau Père & Fils Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru 2012

For my first time tasting Domaine Armand Rousseau Père & Fils Chambertin-Clos de Bèze, the sommelier said that if Chambertin is the King, then this wine, Clos de Bèze, is the Queen. The 2012 vintage is relatively easy to approach and didn't require a very long decanting time—two hours was sufficient.

The 2012 growing season was quite challenging, with a severe cold spring, but the summer was warm and hot. As a result, the fruit profile of this wine is quite expressive.

For the first hour, the reduction notes were very strong. It only started to open up in the second hour. The aroma is quite elegant. Since we were dining at a restaurant, the sommelier was very meticulous in controlling the temperature of the glassware, adjusting the wine's condition to a optimal state.

I didn't get very exuberant fruit notes. The overall state of the wine was restrained and elegant—like a lady around 30 years old. Not only is her beauty present, but there's also a feeling of poise and steadiness. Everything was in balance: the aromas, flavours, and acidity.

Notes of cherry, blackberry, liquorice sweetness, a hint of mint, and some dried flowers. There was a slightly creamy texture on the palate. The body was rounded but not quite what I would call voluptuous.

I didn't find any particularly stunning or breathtaking flavours or aromas. I can only say that this wine's performance was... correct. I had originally hoped for more complex layers, but unfortunately, I felt its expression was relatively simple, not very complex. It was just quite elegant and graceful.

This wine is exceedingly expensive. For a similar quality presentation, I believe there are other options at perhaps half the price that could deliver a comparable experience. — a day ago

James Burge

9.0

village level with great tension, a bit high acid — 10 days ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.4

Luis mtz carlos velazquez — 2 months ago