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. — 5 days ago

Jay Kline

9.1

This bottle was opened sometime earlier in the evening before a glass was handed to me. Pacalet’s 2018 Cornas pours, a deep ruby purple with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with wild notes of ripe and tart black and red fruits: mixed brambles, freshly cracked black pepper, bacon fat, lavender, dried green herbs and gentle warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. Considering Philippe is Burgundian, I think he does a great job with Cornas; certainly showing a sense of place with the feral nature of Serine. Drink now through 2038. — a month ago

Elena Todorov

9.5

1986 vintage holds great — a month 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. — 9 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. — a month ago

Daniele Cuzin

9.1

Had the 2018 vintage in july 2025 with friends paired with lamb and french cheeses — a month ago

James K

9.3

Impressed this held up for so long. Has zero hope or expectations when our neighbor brought it over. — 6 days ago

Billy L.

9.4

Excellent BDB 🍾🥂Cheers👍🏻👏🏻 — 21 days ago

Lyn Farmer

9.3

Medium gorgeous rosé color and intense aromas of red apple, cranberry, violet, raspberry, lemon, bread dough and pastry. This has more class and while not delicate it has more finesse than the average NV rose. On the palate, crisp acidity well-balanced with the fruit and a long finish. — a month ago

Willem Jan Withagen

9.2

Got stuck in a corner of my cellar. But fresh and ripe apples, sone critic and orange tones. Very well ripened in 10 years. — a month ago