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Heitz Cellar Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 1978
Ratings on Delectable
Shay A 
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!
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!
9.5
Conrad Green
A dark sweaty and intense front end. Profound and intense fruit with tobacco and iodine Really good.
A dark sweaty and intense front end. Profound and intense fruit with tobacco and iodine Really good.
9.4Conrad Green
Lovely gnarly stuff. Deep savory fruit. Still clear and intense. Some floral notes at the end with a succulent saline quality. Just spectacular.
Lovely gnarly stuff. Deep savory fruit. Still clear and intense. Some floral notes at the end with a succulent saline quality. Just spectacular.
9.6
"Odedi"
#AgedWineTuesday Ruby in color with a wide brick rim. Wonderful nose with plenty of fruits, earth notes and chocolates. Medium plus in body with medium acidity. Dry on the palate with great complexity. Showing blackberries, black currants, cooked plums, cedar, tobacco leaf, light vanilla, earth, spices, leather, chocolates, coffee, peppercorn and licorice. Medium in length on the finish, with no tannins at all. This 45 year old is delicious now. Might not be at its peak anymore, but it is still gorgeous. Still showing lots of fruits with great complexity and a soft mouth feel. Elegant and fruit forward. Really nice. I've had a few vintages of this wine and it is always nice to drink this kind of wines. Thank you John for sharing this with me. Didn't last too long, and started declining after 45 minutes of airtime. Paired beautifully with a nice piece of fillet. 13% alcohol by volume. 93 points. $750.
#AgedWineTuesday Ruby in color with a wide brick rim. Wonderful nose with plenty of fruits, earth notes and chocolates. Medium plus in body with medium acidity. Dry on the palate with great complexity. Showing blackberries, black currants, cooked plums, cedar, tobacco leaf, light vanilla, earth, spices, leather, chocolates, coffee, peppercorn and licorice. Medium in length on the finish, with no tannins at all. This 45 year old is delicious now. Might not be at its peak anymore, but it is still gorgeous. Still showing lots of fruits with great complexity and a soft mouth feel. Elegant and fruit forward. Really nice. I've had a few vintages of this wine and it is always nice to drink this kind of wines. Thank you John for sharing this with me. Didn't last too long, and started declining after 45 minutes of airtime. Paired beautifully with a nice piece of fillet. 13% alcohol by volume. 93 points. $750.
9.3Conrad Green
Band aid, intense fruit, sappy almost. Surprisingly vital
Band aid, intense fruit, sappy almost. Surprisingly vital
9.5
Mike Saviage
Tasted blind. Dark tawny color. Mostly translucent. Very floral. Notes of black cherry, cherry cola, mocha, and some prominent eucalyptus that I pick up. Great fruit and acidity to match. Some are in Bordeaux land with their guesses, I go with 91 Heitz Martha's VIneyard. I'm on a roll. Awesome to partake in an old 78 in in such great condition. Thanks Larry! One of my favorite reds of the day.
Tasted blind. Dark tawny color. Mostly translucent. Very floral. Notes of black cherry, cherry cola, mocha, and some prominent eucalyptus that I pick up. Great fruit and acidity to match. Some are in Bordeaux land with their guesses, I go with 91 Heitz Martha's VIneyard. I'm on a roll. Awesome to partake in an old 78 in in such great condition. Thanks Larry! One of my favorite reds of the day.
9.7
Greg Gregory
Just beautiful. Opened at 5pm and still singing four hours later. That hint of Eucalyptus was definitely present.
Just beautiful. Opened at 5pm and still singing four hours later. That hint of Eucalyptus was definitely present.
9.4
Christopher A. Weed
Director of Operations/Wine Specialist Spectrum Wine Auctions
Great Martha
Great Martha
9.5
Knightsbridge Wine Shoppe
Dark cherry, mint, delicious!
Dark cherry, mint, delicious!
9.4
Remi Barrett
78! Good times at NVV meeting
78! Good times at NVV meeting
8.6
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