A revelation for the vintage and the wine, which I've not seen before. Produced with a large percentage of Heitz Martha's, this is still going strong. Round, full-bodied and loaded with sweet, dusty, pure, fresh cherries, earth, tobacco, cedar and cassis, the wine is complex, deep and interesting on the nose and palate. Roughly 125 cases were produced so it is not easy to find. But if you are a fan of classic California Cabernet, if you see a bottle at auction, it is worth the price of the ticket.
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Wow! The nose on this is impressive after 50 years. Eucalyptus, mint, earth, aged dark fruit, resolved tannin, great balance and energy, not tired at all.
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The story goes that when Joe Heitz came close to running out of selling the reg Napa bottling, and the precious Martha's was still resting in barrel, he would dip into the Martha barrels and bottle this wine, the C-91, so he could continue to sell wine to his loyal customers. Little concern for this bottle as the ullage was down to the shoulder...but after the cork came out in one piece...the wine was in fine shape! Still quite dark and youthful looking...amply fruit with slight sweetness...plum, currants, dried cherry...soft and delicate structure with a beautiful polished sheen...very complex, showing classic Heitz mint/euc/dried herbs nuances...dusty old cellar cedar spice...leather, mixed nuts...drank well till the end.
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From an excellent looking bottle with a bottom neck fill, this wine had a deep red center and light red/orange rims. The high- intensity nose screamed Martha's vineyard as it showed chocolate cherries, mint, plums, and some soil.
Unfortunately, the mouth did not scream Martha's as it was light bodied with resolved tannin and firm acidity. It needed several hours of air to fill out a bit but remained a relative light-weight compared to the ostentatious nose. It had some complexity and an average finish.
This bottle was clearly perfectly stored so I do not expect more from this wine. Drink ASAP.
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Opened for my 40th. John Gilman wrote a fantastic review of this wine that sums it up. It's a baby Heitz Martha's with huge notes of mint and eucalyptus bursting from the decanter the moment it is opened. Smoke and underbrush join the party as well. Wow, what a palate, totally silken and resolved, fresh and juicy, just gorgeous yesteryear Cabernet from Napa, classic, bright red fruit, supple, gorgeous balance. Not tired in the least. Really stunning.
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11/9/2020 - Jeff Leve wrote: 95 Points
A revelation for the vintage and the wine, which I've not seen before. Produced with a large percentage of Heitz Martha's, this is still going strong. Round, full-bodied and loaded with sweet, dusty, pure, fresh cherries, earth, tobacco, cedar and cassis, the wine is complex, deep and interesting on the nose and palate. Roughly 125 cases were produced so it is not easy to find. But if you are a fan of classic California Cabernet, if you see a bottle at auction, it is worth the price of the ticket.
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5/14/2019 - Vinophiliac559 wrote: 96 Points
Wow! The nose on this is impressive after 50 years. Eucalyptus, mint, earth, aged dark fruit, resolved tannin, great balance and energy, not tired at all.
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5/12/2019 - Mrbuzz Likes this wine: 95 Points
The story goes that when Joe Heitz came close to running out of selling the reg Napa bottling, and the precious Martha's was still resting in barrel, he would dip into the Martha barrels and bottle this wine, the C-91, so he could continue to sell wine to his loyal customers.
Little concern for this bottle as the ullage was down to the shoulder...but after the cork came out in one piece...the wine was in fine shape! Still quite dark and youthful looking...amply fruit with slight sweetness...plum, currants, dried cherry...soft and delicate structure with a beautiful polished sheen...very complex, showing classic Heitz mint/euc/dried herbs nuances...dusty old cellar cedar spice...leather, mixed nuts...drank well till the end.
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12/10/2016 - fclarity wrote: 92 Points
From an excellent looking bottle with a bottom neck fill, this wine had a deep red center and light red/orange rims. The high- intensity nose screamed Martha's vineyard as it showed chocolate cherries, mint, plums, and some soil.
Unfortunately, the mouth did not scream Martha's as it was light bodied with resolved tannin and firm acidity. It needed several hours of air to fill out a bit but remained a relative light-weight compared to the ostentatious nose. It had some complexity and an average finish.
This bottle was clearly perfectly stored so I do not expect more from this wine. Drink ASAP.
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11/8/2009 - Eric wrote: 93 Points
Opened for my 40th. John Gilman wrote a fantastic review of this wine that sums it up. It's a baby Heitz Martha's with huge notes of mint and eucalyptus bursting from the decanter the moment it is opened. Smoke and underbrush join the party as well. Wow, what a palate, totally silken and resolved, fresh and juicy, just gorgeous yesteryear Cabernet from Napa, classic, bright red fruit, supple, gorgeous balance. Not tired in the least. Really stunning.
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