Heitz Cellar "Lot C-91" Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 [1.5L Magnum]
(Napa Valley, California) - [JS 97] [TWI 96] [WA 94+] [WS 94]

About the Winery: 
Family owned since its founding in 1961, Heitz Cellar’s legacy runs as deep as the roots throughout the Napa Valley; a winery legend that has helped shape the history of Napa Valley winemaking. In the late 1950’s, pioneering vintner Joe Heitz ushered in Napa’s modern era with his iconic, globally celebrated wines, including Napa Valley’s first vineyard-designated Cabernet Sauvignon, the renowned Heitz Cellar Martha’s Vineyard. In April, 2018, Heitz Cellar entered an exciting new chapter as this rich legacy was passed into the hands of the Lawrence family, whose deep roots in agriculture and commitment to the same core values of fine winemaking made it a perfect match. The wines are made with an unwavering commitment to quality from organically farmed, 100% Napa Valley fruit, and a commitment to the sustainability of Napa Valley.

Winemaker Notes:
The origin of Lot C-91 begins in the fall of 1969 with the idea that through meticulous site selection and assemblage, we can create something more significant than the sum of its parts. This historical cuvée is sourced exclusively from the renowned single vineyards of Heitz Cellar and showcases a most unique expression of the terroir of the Napa Valley.

100% Cabernet Sauvignon, farmed sustainably and certified organic by CCOF and Certified Fish Friendly Farming.

Appellations: Rutherford AVA, Oakville AVA, Howell Mountain AVA, St. Helena AVA

Aging: Two years in a combination of new and used large oak casks and small barriques with an additional year of bottle age before release.

Tasting Notes: The palate exhibits the density and length that only the truly great wines of the world are capable of. The soft expression of red and black fruits are a result of harvesting earlier while the fruit is still fresh and vibrant and having patience as the wine undergoes one of the longest aging regimens in the region. A clear differentiation between the Napa Valley Cabernet and the Lot C-91 is the presence of savory elements such as sage, rosemary, cured meats, and black pepper. This patient approach allows for the integration of tannin, alcohol, acidity, and fruit. The result is a wine of incredible complexity and harmony, that is true to the place it comes from.

Ratings & Reviews:

97 Points - James Suckling:
"Black berry, slate, lead pencil, black currant, and wet earth. Excellent pedigree. Medium to full body with exquisite tannins that run the length of the wine and show intensity and focus. The purity of the cab character shows such clarity and resonates back to the great cabs of the 1970s. A blend of cab from the vineyards: Martha’s, Trailside, Howell Mountain, and Linda Falls. Drinkable but better in four or five years."  (Nov 2023)

96 Points - The Wine Independent:
"Rose oil, star anise, and tree bark notes soar from the glass of the 2019 Lot C-91 Cabernet Sauvignon, followed by hints of creme de cassis, mint tea, dark chocolate, and clove oil. The medium to full-bodied palate is jam packed with intense black fruit layers, finishing long and perfumed. Very impressive! This label was first produced in 1969 and never made again by the Heitz family. Revived in 2016, it has been made every year since. This is a blended expression of Cabernet Sauvignon." - Lisa Perrotti-Brown (Jul 2024)

94+ Points - Wine Advocate:
"With its distinctive mossy, savory nose of old oak and bright notes of black cherries and cassis, the 2019 Lot C-91 is medium to full-bodied, showing greater concentration than the straight Cabernet Sauvignon. It's rich and dense yet shows no excess weight, then finishes long, with a hint of mocha. It's a terrific value." - Joe Czerwinski (Jul 2024)

94 Points - Wine Spectator:
"An alluring whiff of mint leads off, followed quickly by tightly wound damson plum and red currant coulis notes. Sleek and tight-grained on the finish, with cedar, savory and iron accents rippling through before leaving a sanguine echo. This distinctive version is set up to age well. Best from 2026 through 2038." - James Molesworth (Jul 2024)