Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

When in doubt, a sure bet is a well aged, good vintage Heitz. @Eric Shanks

I intended to grab an 06 but, mistakenly grabbed an 07. I’ve not had one of my 06’s yet...next weekend.

The one thing I do every time I open one of my ten year or older Heitz Napa Cabernet’s is smile & think, this was sub $35 at Costco. It’s the wine feeling/definition of stealing candy from babies.

The nose is a beautiful harmony of fruit, earth and florals. Steeped, somewhat stewed, candied fruits of; dark currants/cassis, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, mix of purple fruits; boysenberries, ollieberries, & mulberries. Dark, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, touch of incense, fire ambers, dark spices with violets palate heat, chocolate pudding, vanilla, light; cinnamon, clove & nutmeg, dark chocolate, caramel, sweet, soft, dark spice, dark berry cola, dark cherry kirsch, dark, rich earth, limestone, crushed, dry rocks, dry top soil, moist clay, understated herbs & dry brush, brewed coffee, mint, some sage & bay leaf, tobacco, dry, old leather with amazing, fresh & slightly withering & candied; dark, red, blue, purple with a violet & lavender frame. The acidity is splendid. The long, ripe, ruby, lush, elegant, well crafted balance of fruit & earth is delicious and persists endlessly with a dark spice on the long set.

The body is; delightful, ripe, rich, lush & full. The structure, tension, length and balance are woven in a perfect tapestry. This 07 has another 10-15 years easily. The tannins are rounded, smooth but, still have a dark, chewy, tarriness with baby teeth. The beauty of the vintage is on full display. Steeped, somewhat stewed, candied fruits of; dark currants/cassis, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, mix of purple fruits; boysenberries, ollieberries, & mulberries. Dark, sweet tarriness, anise to black licorice, touch of incense, fire ambers, chocolate pudding, vanilla, light; cinnamon, clove & nutmeg, dark & milk chocolate, caramel, sweet, soft, dark spice, dark berry cola, dark cherry kirsch, dark, rich earth, limestone, crushed, dry rocks, dry top soil, moist clay & dry brush, brewed coffee, mint, tobacco, dry, old leather with amazing, fresh & slightly withering & candied ; dark, red, blue, purple with a violet & lavender frame. The acidity is perfect. The finish is; rich, ripe, ruby, candied, well balanced fruit & earth, elegant and long sets into velvety, round tannins and mid dark spices.

Photos of; the winery, tasting patio, old basket press and wide shot of the winery & Estate vines. — 5 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

Interesting that earlier comments from the Wine Press wondered if the tannins would ever soften. At 23 years of age I can report that they have. Notes of Blackberry, Liquorice, Dust and Dark Chocolate. Berries and chocolate on the palate with a slightly bitter finish. Fine persistent tannins. Will keep for a few more years yet. — 8 years ago

Erik Helms

Sommelier/Wine & Beer Buyer Whole Foods Oakland

9.3

Blackberry jam, boysenberry, black currant, cassis, black olives, black tea, vanilla... just so dark and brooding. Very rich, ripe, and lengthy. 10 years old and still going strong! Really solid bottle. — 8 years ago

Mike Leapley Jr.

8.9

Legs for days. I let it breathe for two hours very nice drinking wine.
— 8 years ago

Scott Rowe

9.3

Best Cabernet in show #AHWS2016 — 8 years ago

Jessica Hapeman

8.9

Solid Pinot. Not worth the $22 non sale price but good for $11.99 — 9 years ago

Jodi M

9.2

Gorgeous Barossa shiraz. Not too heavy, very drinkable. — 5 years ago

M. Christopher Roebuck

9.1

So this ChMont doesn't hold the line with the prior cab. It's solid, as always, but lacks complexity, depth, and frankly even body. This is medium. A nice smoked wood note makes its somewhat different. But otherwise, it feels underripe, and thin. It's worth laying down for a while (ask @Shay A how long) to look for you improvement. I really wanted to press to 9.2 here but couldn't.

91+ points — 6 years ago

Jeff Thornhill

9.2

Very good. Great bouquet, flavor and finish. Worth the $16. Definitely a repeat purchase. — 7 years ago

Nicole

8.9

I snuck aboard the space station and made my way to the holding cell where I was told the princess was being held. Upon breaking down the door, I was confronted by a short person in a diaper and odd headdress who said "I'm sorry, but the princess is in another death star".

About that time all the alarms in the space station started going off.

After some brief firefights I found myself cornered, my only escape to done down a shoot into a garbage compactor. So I did. Once in the trash compactor I met a friendly monster called a Dianoga. We shared a lovely bottle of Slow Press while the walls of the compactor slowly closed in on us.

Fortunately for me, I'm the hero of this tale and, as such, made a timely escape, rescued the princess (eventually), and managed to do it all without realizing I had spilled wine on myself. — 8 years ago

Cara Fleck Plewinski

10

Light and crisp! Bought at Wine Cellars of Annapolis — 8 years ago

Peter Lutz

9.1

What can I say? I love a granache. — 8 years ago

Mark Bilinski

9.0

Normally don't like Roses, but this was very enjoyable and easy to drink. Would definitely buy again. — 9 years ago

Zach Thompson

9.0

Edge of too sweet — 9 years ago

Michelle Tracy

9.1

I like it! Light and smooth, but good with dinner (pasta, steak) & inexpensive — 6 years ago

Lindsay Corrigan

8.9

Full Strawberry nose with white pepper. Taste juicy red berry front settles down to a wash blueberry. Then at back of mouth intensity starts with flavour of roasted red peppers done over oak coals and finish cleanse of eucalyptus.🍷 — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Beautiful, dark red, perfume fruits. Black currants, blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, boysenberries, lots of blue fruits, expresso, anise, leather, some graphite, sweet dark moist soils, medium intensity volcanic minerals, limestone with blue and dark red floral bouquet.

The body is full. The tannins are round and nicely soften. The structure, length, tension and balance have hit harmony with plenty of life left ahead. Dark currants, blackberries, dark cherries, black plum, black raspberries, boysenberries, loads of blue fruits, expresso roast, anise, dark chocolate, a little caramel, leather, some graphite, leather, dry tobacco, touch of dry herbs, sweet dark moist soils, medium intensity volcanic minerals, limestone and blue and dark red floral bouquet. The acidity is round and beautiful. The finish is long, very well balanced, elegant, polished and lasts minutes.

Photos of; The barn used for winemaking and to host tastings. The first harvested Cabernet grapes of the season, an old school basket press that decorates their grounds, Estate vines and a giant fan to dry the vines if needed amongst the hilltop mountains that surround the Estate. — 7 years ago

Lewis Chester

9.4

NV Sparkling Shiraz. Basket press. Dark purple hue. Wow - amazing nose. Black plums, sweet spice, mulberries, leather, and hints of earthy manure. Fabulous. On the palate, off dry, high acidity, deep concentration of flavours, medium plus body and medium alcohol. Great depth on the long lingering finish. A revelation. Clearly the best sparkling Aussie wine I have tried, never mind sparkling red wine. Awesome. 94 points. — 8 years ago

Antonio Galloni

Founder, Vinous

9.8

The 2010 has always been monumental, as it is again tonight. Too young but dazzling. Best value on the list at Press by a mile — 8 years ago

Eric

9.6

This wine is worthy of all the press and hype in my view. Awesome vanilla/raspberry/chocolate/spice palate. Very balanced for such a young age. Love the finish- big without overstaying it's welcome. — 8 years ago