2018 Heitz Cellar, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA
- Jeb Dunnuck
- 91/100
- Joe Czerwinski
- 91/100
- Jim Gordon
- 92/100
When Joe and Alice Heitz established their winery, Napa Valley was still a quiet outpost with fewer than a dozen producers. Joe’s vision—and his mastery of viticulture and oenology—helped transform the region into a world-class destination. His decision to bottle Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon as a single-vineyard wine was revolutionary, setting a benchmark for quality and provenance. Over six decades later, these wines remain among the most age-worthy in California, often capable of maturing gracefully for half a century.
Under the Lawrence family’s ownership since 2018, Heitz Cellar has deepened its commitment to sustainability. All fruit is organically farmed across Napa Valley’s finest appellations, with vineyards in Oakville, Rutherford, and Howell Mountain managed to preserve biodiversity and soil health. The estate is CCOF-certified organic and has begun incorporating biodynamic principles, ensuring that each vintage reflects not only the character of its terroir but also a respect for the land. This approach, combined with restrained winemaking—such as avoiding malolactic fermentation—produces Cabernet Sauvignons of purity, freshness, and remarkable longevity.