(Oct. 9, 2013) — We follow last month’s Bordeaux First Growth tasting with a California “First Growth”: Heitz Cellar’s Cabernet Sauvignon. The winery was founded by Joseph and Alice Heitz in 1961. Joe was a pioneer in California for single vineyard wines. While the winery makes a wide variety of wines, Cabernet Sauvignon leads the way with its Martha’s Vineyard wine in the starring role. Through the 60s and 70s, Joe Heitz was one of an elite group of Winemakers that put California on the map internationally (most notably at the famous 1976 “Judgement of Paris”). The wines are now made by his son David.

We will be tasting wines from three vineyards: Trailside, Bella Oaks and, of course, Martha’s Vineyard. The vintages span 1999 to 2005, all of which are firmly in their window of maturity.
Heitz-owned since the early 80s, Trailside is the newest vineyard. It is in Rutherford, bordering the Silverado trail. It produces intense fruit which the winery tempers with long aging in new French oak. Bella Oaks is also in Rutherford, owned by the Rhodes family. Heitz has had an exclusivity for their grapes since the late 70s. The wines exhibit a smooth refinement.
Martha’s Vineyard is on east-facing slopes of the Napa Valley near Oakville, owned by the May family since the 60s. Heitz has had an exclusivity for their grapes since the start. Organically farmed, it has a proprietary clone of Cabernet Sauvignon giving concentrated flavour. Surrounding Eucalyptus trees enhance the minty notes in the wine.

The vintages we are pouring are 1999, 2001, 2004, 2005. 1999 was rated 97 pts by Wine Spectator. All four years were rated over 90 pts. Trailside is featured in each vintage; 2004 and 2005 feature all three vineyards (some refer to this as a ‘T’ tasting), giving us an excellent cross section of this historic winery.

The wines we will be pouring are:

Trailside: 1999, 2001, 2004, 2005; Bella Oaks 2004, 2005; Martha’s Vineyard 2004, 2005

As always with our tastings, this event will be strictly non-smoking, and we request your cooperation in not wearing any scented after-shave or perfume. Please don’t drink & drive.

Cancellations accepted up to October 4, 2013. See the event form for cancellation contact details. No reservations by phone, please. No confirmations will be issued — you will be contacted only if we are sold out. First come basis. Non-members may attend at guest rates, but preference will be given to members.

Download the event form if you wish to mail in your reservation cheque.