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. Fifty-eight years of the Heitz family’s dedication to viticulture, stewardship, and classic winemaking, maintained the winery’s notoriety as a benchmark amongst its peers in California and Europe.
Tasting Notes:
The palate is the essence of what has made Rutherford one of the most sought after appellations for Cabernet Sauvignon in the world. Subtle tart and ripe red fruits with an unmistakable opulence and approachability can be found in waves throughout. The wine concludes with savory winter herbs of English thyme and bay laurel that carry for remarkable length.
Ratings & Reviews:
95 Points - Decanter:
"Fashionably fragrant, it leads with macerated bing cherry, bay laurel, sage, and a subtle minty note. Medium-bodied, soft and long, with plush tannins and a beautiful vein of ironstone minerality. Finishes with fragrant brown spices and notes of walnut husk. Aged in upright casks for 20-36 months in 90-95% new French oak. Cool fermentations, early pressing and a long élevage is the recipe winemaker Brittany Sherwood follows. She says that Heitz uses a small amount of Limousine oak foudre, which typically requires longer ageing for better integration — sourced from the Trailside Vineyard in the eastern foothills of Rutherford, just north of Mumm and south of Conn Creek. Heitz purchased the 34-hectare parcel in 2019 and incorporated the contiguous 20 hectares to the south, formerly called Wildwood." - Jonathan Cristaldi (February 2023)
93+ Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"From a vineyard on the eastern side of the Rutherford AVA, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Trailside Vineyard boasts cedar and dusty earth shadings alongside cherries and redcurrants. It's medium-bodied, with more focus and tension than the Martha's but perhaps a bit less generosity and richness. Long and dusty on the finish, it promises to age well for up to two decades." Drink 2025-2040 - Joe Czerwinski (March 2023)
93 Points - Wine Spectator:
"Stylish, with sleek, racy mulberry and warmed cassis notes that are nicely defined, laced liberally with red tea, anise and apple wood. Shows subtle mesquite, mint and iron flashes in the background throughout. Nicely done for the vintage. Drink now through 2036. 2,384 cases made." - James Molesworth (November 2023)
91 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"Hearty and full-bodied, this black cherry and blackberry-scented wine is braced by moderate tannins and good acidity for a sense of freshness despite its big size. Best from 2025-2035." - Jim Gordon (September 2023)
![Heitz Cellar "Trailside Vineyard" Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 (Napa Valley, California) - [DM 95] [WA 93+] [WS 93] [WE 91]](http://artisan.wine/cdn/shop/files/1683043x_{width}x.jpg?v=1711228307)