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! — 7 months ago

Bryon Sheets

9.0

Bright, fresh, lot of energy. Perfect seafood complement — 2 years ago

with Alyssa

Anna Sangiacomo

9.6

Demi bottle & perfect split for two ! Great way to begin the evening. — 3 years ago

Robert Rothfield

9.3

Perfect celebration bubbles....crisp and elegant — 6 years ago

Hari Patel

9.0

Bold full bodied Napa cab. Perfect with meaty dinner. — 8 years ago

Jon Tam

9.5

Hints of pine mixed with black licorice and chocolate. The perfect combination of sweet and robust flavor with a kick. This is a strong, hearty number - get ready to take on the beast. — 9 years ago

with Randy

Bradley Brown

Owner/Winemaker Big Basin Vineyards

9.8

So fresh, vibrant and perfect. Could last so much longer — 9 years ago

Ned Gray Creed

9.5

That will bring sunshine to a rainy day. — 9 years ago

with Sean

Lindsay Rodman

9.1

My favorite Sauvignon blanc - very fruity (citrus, tropical) without being overly sweet, which is perfect. Not as herbaceous/mineraly as Loire SBs. The 2014 vintage isn't as good, unfortunately.
— 10 years ago

Ericsson

9.2

DP? I’ll take it any day! — 8 months ago

Zeynep Altmışoğlu

9.0

Fresh, softly fruity, not sweet. Perfect in day time, should drink cold. — 9 months ago

Sharon LaDuca

8.9

Hint of pear, light blend perfect with seafood and end of summer! — 10 months ago

Josh Betz

9.5

Happy Mother’s Day! Smooth and drinking very well. — 3 years ago

William Bentley

9.6

We chose this as our Thanksgiving wine. I thought it would be a little robust for turkey and ham, but it was just perfect. Everyone loved it. Great memory... — 6 years ago

GabWine

9.6

When we open from 1987, we expect everything. One thinks of its conservation in cellar, the risk that it is passed or incredible, with the tannins having evolved in this vial ... The cork pulled-out, in perfect state and one knows in advance that one hit the jackpot and that it will be phenomenal. A coppery robe, a complex nose with aromas of black and floral fruits. In the mouth, an explosion of flavors that take the length and makes us go back in time. A very large estate for an incredible wine, to fall 😍🍷 — 7 years ago

Brian Duffy

Sommelier & Beverage Director The Barrymore Las Vegas

9.5

Outstanding! There is the perfect moment for a bottle to be opened and tonight was it. It was the wine equivalent of a album that you can listen to from start to finish. — 9 years ago

Jonathan Salky

9.4

3 hours of air was well worth it. Smooth, dark fruit, still a little austere. Wish I had left some to try the next day! — 9 years ago

Robert Simkins

8.9

Given the price this wasn't bad. Not terribly well integrated, but still seems like it could age a bit. Will see how it is on day 2. — 9 years ago

Rodney Lee

9.3

Smelled great looked great tasted great but it was thin on the palate for a Howell mountain cab. Everything else was in perfect harmony. — 10 years ago

J Ham

10

Great. Rich. Complex. Perfect balance of spice, fruit, and mineral. — 12 years ago

Aylin Ulku

9.7

Spectacular We have stored this for 11 years and enjoyed it for our 5th anniversary, paired with lamb shank and lamb chops. opens beautifully perfect time to drink. Initially the finish had notes of leather, hint of dark fried fruit. — 9 months ago

ESF

9.1

Impressive cut - hi quality Sonoma Zin, modern style, fruit forward w/some decadent notes of chocolate & vanilla - deep reservoir of red & black fruit. Silky smooth refined palate thru finish. Lot to like here — 9 months ago

Pooneet K

9.5

One of the best bottles of champagne I’ve ever had. Annual one for Valentine’s Day - 2 left from a case we bought years ago. Getting better each year. Has a bit of a caramel apple mixed with lemon curd thing developing now. Very fine bubbles. Just fantastic. — 2 years ago

Renato Hoyle

9.2

So many flavors. Balanced. Perfect acid and tannins combination. Very long. Could easily age for years. — 5 years ago

Jeff Fennel

9.3

National Rosé Day — 7 years ago

with Mary

Nick Jouras

9.4

Christmas Day 3 Litre 12 years old and a lot left — 8 years ago

JKT

9.5

What a nose! Fruit but strongly tinged with spice and hints of cigar? Medium body with fruit and acid but latter lingers into finish which RC says should note be for Napa cab and sign of post prime by 5+ years. But still great to drink. Next day under agon the nose lost that spicy note but the palette holding very nicely. More rounded today. — 9 years ago

Mary Lacagnina

9.1

Perfect with appetizers! Zill brought this over the holidays.
— 9 years ago

with Frank

Johnny

9.0

Easy drinking every day wine and at a bargain price at under $8 at Costco. — 10 years ago

Paul Einbund

Wine Director/Sommelier Frances

9.0

Tight and young but perfect as evah — 11 years ago