The drink window shown for this wine is way to long. In fact on my bottle, which has bee properly sored in a controlled cellar, I noticed that the flavors were getting a little soft (light). I would drink this wine now or in the next 2 years...ok, maybe 3, but I would not go much longer unless you prefer a very light wine. In general, I expect about 20 years from California cab grapes - can anyone document a longer drink window? I could go on about flavors and tannins, but the other notes cover this well.
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It’s not outstanding. It should have been. In September 1999 we drove up US 1 in a convertible. Fantastic ride, but we were on a mission: pick up a case of Heitz Martha’s Vineyard and ship it back home to THE BOSS. We parked and rolled into the winery forgetting that Y2K was going to end the world. We sat at the bar, had some sips and slowly realized that this wine was over our heads. The credit cards were burning holes in our pockets. How could we actually pay for a case of this wine? We waited and prayed that the charge went through…it did. So we drove to the “ship the wine” store, packed up the case, sent it to the boss and never saw it again. So here we are tonight, 22+ years later, we skipped the Burgundy and pulled out this 2005 Heitz Martha’s Vineyard. We joked how in the last millennium we couldn’t afford this wine, popped the cork and waited for perfection and…it did not come. It was plum, blackberry jam and strawberry. Not the signature Heitz profile we expected. We sipped and questioned whether it was us or the wine. It wasn’t our pairing (steak). So we went back to the cellar and pulled out a newer Heitz “2014 Trailside”. And there it was, Heitz magic. Everything you would have expected in the 2005 Martha; mint, eucalyptus, dark chocolate. It wasn’t that the 2005 wasn’t good, it just didn’t remind us of driving up the coast on a dime with the wind blowing in our hair.
PS. A night of two bottles of Heitz is a good night
Nose: blackcurrant jam, violet Notes: It is indeed a mistake to consume this bottle so early. It was an experiment to see if this wine is ready yet but unfortunately this bottle requires at least another 5 years of cellaring. Very full bodied with excellent aroma, it is difficult to spot much secondary notes in the wine even with 17 years of aging. Certainly it has not been an ideal result and even with the help of a decanter we are nowhere near an optimal drinking window. Personally I feel that new American CS (for that I'm generalizing but I mainly refer to the post 00s) are sometimes just too fruit driven, and such approach would most certainly sacrifice the balance of the wine hence the concentration will often be a bit overwhelming. Unfortunately this applies to most makers in Napa. It is hard to say just yet if this approach will yield magical results in 15-20 years when these wines have finally reached their peak drinking time. I shall continue to try these in the coming years and hopefully the sacrifices made in the wines early years can be compensated. Drink: 2027+ Rating: 88
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Oh yes!! This nose just screams Martha's! Red berries, eucalyptus and mint. Beautifully dense and opulent but not at all overripe. I guess this will easily live to see it's 50th birthday. I will need to get myself a magnum or two of this...
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Opened for our 30th anniversary and decanted for approx an hour. Deep black fruit nose with hints of tobacco and leather. Initial taste of deep, deep, black cherry and plum with the telltale Martha's eucalyptus profile. Superb wine with such power and depth of flavor which lasted for the next hour. Excellent paring with filet and ribeye. Still has yrs ahead for enjoyment. Hadn't had a Martha's since the 1991,opened for our 20th anniversay which @ twenty yrs old had the same profile. Unique Napa bottling which still delivers!!!
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At first I thought there was a slight hint of TCA in this wine: slight musty taste after popping the cork and the flavors seem a bit muted. I think it was just reduction and not yet having enough air. This is a powerful wine and it needed lots of air and time before it showed best. I finally had it firing on all cylinders by day 2. I get black currant, boysenberry, raisins, dates, and violet along with the distinctive Euchalyptus flavor that everyone always talks about, tobacco, tar, brandy, savory notes of salty black olives and thyme, wet earth, and Rutherford dust (as John Gilman noted). Smoke, cedar, and vanilla from the oak. Despite the savory qualities, this also had a pleasantly sweet sensation to it as well. Lots of energy and smooth tannins, though additional bottle age would have helped—it still seemed a bit tight. I wish I had more because I think another 5 years would make it even better. Very good, though I might have slightly preferred the well-aged Dunn that I opened recently (but only slightly).
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Big nose of dark fruits, earth, oak and a hint of funk - my first thought was how much this was similar to an aged bordeaux. Complex flavors dominated by cassis that matched the aromas along with spices, minerals and a hint of eucalyptus. Full-bodied with a firm structure, and more acidity than I expected. Food friendly with a steak and mushrooms. A delight to drink.
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This is good. Immediately I smell eucalyptus trees and mint. Some berries, wood and black tea. It has really good flavours. Savory, but still fruity, and strong. Very poised. Not the best Martha’s vintage, but it keeps the pedigree. I’m waiting another 3 years to see where it goes.
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Nose- dark brambly fruits with violets, eucalyptus, mint & earthy notes with sun dried tomatoes & black pepper. Palate- dark fruits, lots of minerals with juicy acidity, violets, eucalyptus notes, followed by some oak. Full bodied, medium tannins & a dark fruit finish. Stellar stuff! Still has some upside I think.
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I Guess I Just Don’t Get It (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida): I like a touch of mint in my wine, but this is ridiculous, even for the eucalyptus loving Martha’s. No tannin, barely hanging together. If you can wipe the Crest off your lips, it’s halfway decent but no more.
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I was a bit disappointed. In fairness, we did not have the opportunity to decant and let it breathe for a couple hours, nor did we drink it with heavy foods such as steaks. So I guess we did not give it a really good chance, but I did leave aside a portion of a glass and re-tasted perhaps an hour and a half after opening, and was still not wow'ed. This was my first Martha's Vineyard. We are big fans of Heitz Trailside and Bella Oaks, so we are certainly familiar with their style of wine making. The bottle was certainly not flawed. It was just a matter of high expectations that were not met. To me it tasted like a pretty ordinary bottle of wine.
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This could lie for many years and still now drank wonderfully. After a two hour decant, it initially had the flavor of bright fruit like strawberries and, well, grapes, but a while in the glass and it moved to richer flavors like black cherries and dates.
Great finish throughout.
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There is, of course.. a minty lift in the nose. It's more evident the 2nd day. The 1st day... you'll be greeted by black tar, purple lilac, and subtle camphor overlaying deep dark black fruit. There is substantial acid.. but it is hardly without company. Gigantic, subtly plummy black fruit is at her elbow like the guy who's a little too old for the girl at the bar. Of course... sleek and polished tannins wait quietly knowing its presence and integrity will be relished. She won't go home alone... tho more than likely with the unsavory character smoking a stale cigarette in that dark corner booth... many years hence. For now... the extravagance of her curves are enticing ..
and I must say... her (much) older sister was extraordinary....
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Wine Spectator Grand Tour - Las Vegas: Aromas of cherry, eucalyptus, florals, currant. Big red fruit on the palate- currant and cherries, richly layered with black team spices and cedar. Full round tannins. Big finish. Needs time.
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WS Grand Tour in NYC (Marriott Marquis): Very nice and here again the age was evident and really made the wine stand out compared to some of the others being poured. It’s much too young at this point. Lots of cracked black pepper. A hint of alcohol, but suspect that would blow off pretty quickly. Hints of fruit. Nice.
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Dinner with friends (Grange, Krug, Caymus ++) (Robert's): In a great place right now. Purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose hits immediately with that eucalyptus/mint note. Plenty of cassis, with a slight liqueur quality. With air, the cassis becomes more pronounced along with some cedar and plums. On the palate, this is still old school Napa in style. Not boisterous but plenty of cassis fruit. Tightly layered, it continued to improve in the glass. Nice balance and food friendly. Not sure if it gets better but probably more bordeaux-like. In any event, a wonderful wine today.
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-Bottle served at room temperature (68°) -Cork in excellent condition, 2-5 mm wine bleed -Decanted for 1 hour -Color: Deep red with sight oxidation. -Nose: Strawberry up front with burnt wood, spice and brandy on the back. -Palate: Dried apricot up front with burnt wood (oak), brandy and spice on the back end. Similar to the nose. Medium mouth feel and acidity with a short quick finish. -Food Pairing: Paired rib eye steaks -Overall: Feeling like this is on the back end of its lifespan. Fruit and tannins were very soft and other subtle flavors were coming through but not the structure and acidity that balanced this wine out in prior bottles. Still very nice and enjoyable but would not pair this with steak next time. Maybe something a bit lighter. Time to drink up the remaining bottles.
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Terrific showing of this classic. The mint comes through intensely on the nose. Palate is completely balanced and elegant. A touch hot on the finish. Highly recommended if you can get it. Compared to the ‘04, a big hit with grilled steak, baked potato and salad!!
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Dark purple. Rich and dark but not overripe, with cassis, mint, and cedar on the nose. Surprisingly silky, with nice acidity, and flavors of blackberry preserve and dried herbs leading to a lingering, mineral-laden finish. The 2005 Martha's Vineyard saturates the palate. Drink through 2025+. (Bottle number 5933)
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Ad Hoc Tasting (Chez Moi): Nose dominated my mint and eucalyptus, and well as chambord liqueur / raspberry jam. Balanced on the palate, but a little disjointed. Drinking now.
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Chef's Choice Dinner in the North Loop: A Night of Burgundy (David's Place, Mpls): Very dark red color. This was a bonus bottle that Craig shared from the previous night. A little warm at first pour and then a chilled pour was more vibrant. Typical mint nose with vanilla, creme de cassis fruits, boysenberry, medium plus body, tasty. I'll refer you to Chablis28's detailed and insightful note for more. 92+pts.
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Decanted for a solid 2-1/2 hrs then back in the btl just before leaving for St Paul Grill. Removed cork again on arrival, took a pour to let evolve in glass & started drinking around 30 minutes later. This is wide open & if you like young Cabs you'll be very happy. For me the oak still needs better integration the biggest obstacle to this reaching its full potential currently. That said, once you put the oak out of your mind you finds lots else to love like its; smoky creosote, mint & dark fruited nose. The palate still has some baby fat to shed. Tannins are pretty smooth & yet there is enough zip to keep this fresh. The palate is a complex cornucopia for dark fruit, spice, cedar, mint & chocolate. I think this is fun now but if you only have 1 or 2 wait till at least 2020. I won't open btl #2 until 2020+. For many people this may already be a 93pt+ wine. For those of us who like everything in its place and more fully resolved, it’s a solid 92pts. Plenty of upside yet IMO. Alc 14.5% Best served around 55 degrees. Its not much fun at 68+ degrees.
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Beat your 2016 WOTY Dinner: Bottled in June 2009. Cedar, mint, redcurrant, menthol and some charcoal as well. Quite sweet fruit initially on the palate, but then a real savoury element sweeps through the mid palate. Young but feels quite open and there is plenty to like about this already.
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Had in a vertical of 03-06 Martha's. Decanted for 3 hours. Much more structured than the rest of the lineup with plenty of tannin and acid. Fruit is very ripe and fresh. Plums, creamy vanilla, licorice, and chocolate covered cherry. Eucalyptus and mint start to emerge on the finish near the end of the night. Has 10 more years until peak.
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Full bodied. Black fruit. Silky, round and smooth. The quite high level of alcohol (14.5%) doesn't show and is well integrated. Can easily be drunken now, but may even be better in another few years.
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Really a joy to drink. 2-3 hours of air seems to be the optimum amount. It is light, but at the same time complex which results in a very graceful feeling on the palate. It is mature, but doesn't taste tired...very youthful tasting actually...and bright. I agree with J30's note from July that this is at its' peak, particularly if you like Cabs that are brighter. Another great Heitz Martha's.
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The wine has medium acidity. The wine finishes medium. The wine looks purple colored. The legs are slow. There is light sediment in the bottle. The wine has smooth texture. Very nice. Will try again next year.
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Believe it is at its peak now. Medium nose of black cherry, plum, licorice, vanilla and chocolate. Balanced, richly flavored, velvetly palate with very fine tannins. Delicious wine.
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Rich, deep and intense, the 2005 Heitz Martha's has just entered its drinking window with an explosive bouquet of dark red fruits and exotic spice, minty herbs, and sweet tobacco as hints of fresh cedar joined the fray and added depth. It was like silk on the palate, weighty yet remarkably refined, with crushed black cherry and blackberry preserves, spice, minerals, and savory herbs, followed by fine tannin providing grip. The finish showed more of its youthful structure with saturating dark fruits and a hint of bitter herbs. The 2005 Heitz Martha’s is simply stunning.
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Wow! This juice rocks. Truly exceptional, and may even rival some of the older, more famous Martha's Vineyard vintages I've tried in the past, if my biased memory is correct. Beautiful color, opaque, dark ruby, still appears on the young side. Bouquet is wonderful even as it's poured, mainly dark berries and perhaps a touch of mint, to my untrained nose. Flavors are multi-layered and lingering, but definitely smack of concentrated black currant, plus hints of eucalyptus (which I may be tasting purely due to knowing that's a "classic" flavor in great cabs from the Oakville valley floor terroir -- although I am entirely convinced there's a subtle eucalyptus note in there!). I consider myself lucky to have had a chance to enjoy this great wine.
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Very concentrated and structured, it is in my opinion approaching optimal drinking. Forest floor and tobacco leaf combined with dark ripe black berries, menthol and cassis. A lovely wine with very well integrated alcohol.
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Strong tannins, lots of dark berry fruit and glycerin, graphite, nice balance, long finish. Elegant, not huge or overpowering. Drink now. Now after 2 hours in the glass, this wine has exploded into cab goodness - complex, chewy, classy fruit, less tannic and tangy, and a huge finish. I underestimated it based on the 1st hour. Raised it from 91 to 94.
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Dark fruit black fruit plum gritty tannins and eucalyptus a lot of eucalyptus, interesting wine and stayed light on its feet due to some strong acid imo.
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2015 New York Wine Experience Trip; 10/19/2015-10/27/2015 (New York City, NY): This 10-year-old wine has a very youthful opaque ruby robe. On the nose and palate, it struts black currant and dark plum fruit, accented by cocoa, graphite, eucalyptus and mint. Full-bodied, freshly acidic, seamlessly alcoholic (14.5%) and with substantial fine-grained tannins, it gains traction in the middle and closes medium-to-long. I suspect that this wine has just entered its drinking window. Based upon its fruit and structure, it should last a long time. Drink now-2035.
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En magnum, showing beautifully. Brooding dark fruit aromas, dusty elements. Deep, opaque color, full bodied. More dark fruit on the palate, still bright and sweet notes tempered with dusty notes, some graphite and earthy undertones. Grippy tannins that seem to be just starting to integrate. Tart acidity, and long finish.
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Ok. My tastes have really changed on this. On May 16, 2013: I rated this only 87 points.
Today, it was the stand out of the tasting. A true wine of Napa Valley Terroir with an awesome herbal complexity (dare I say Eucalyptus) that defines everything about this wine. This isn't about Cabernet - this is about the taste of Martha's Vineyard. Medium weight body that reminds one of the refinement in good Bordeaux. Layered and complex. This wine would really reward more attention than I was able to pay it.
$250 OH Retail www.austinbeeman.com
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Stunning nose, liquorice, forest notes, herbs, lots of red fruit, tobacco. Very round on the palate, driven by ripe succulent fruit, acidity and tannins are kicking in late, leading to a long, lingering and slightly spicy finish. Fantastic wine, great future, but delicious now.
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Less alcohol on the nose and slightly less new oak is used, but it hasn't really integrated much yet. This is full of bright red fruit and black fruits. Cassis, red currant and red and black raspberry. Earthy again with thick chewy tannins. I think this has the potential to go for a good 50 years. Has all the right stuffing, but for the price, I would buy Insignia or LB Bordeaux. $150 is nothing to sneeze at considering Heitz puts out 40,000 bottles a year total.
Lot's of primary fruits with a background of mint, spice, chocolate and vanilla. Wonderfully silky smooth mouth with a great length. A really beautiful Cabernet.
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Very intense bouquet with primary fruits, eucalyptus, mint, fennel and some chocolate. Same on the palate; red as well as dark berry fruits, some clove as well. Very juicy, spicy, a bit earth and a lot of chocolate. The tannin is soft and round but still so youthful. Great wine which I hope to taste again 5 - 8 years from now. 93+
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This is only my second Heitz Martha's the other I had so long ago I can't really remember it. However what I do recall is that outstanding mint and eucalyptus this wine has on the nose and the palate. I LOVE IT. Suave mouthfeel that is powerful yet deft and balanced all at once. Such a unique drinking experience. This wine is built to last. Will definitely acquire more.
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Quite young at this stage but still drinking nicely. Concentrated flavors of red fruit, ripe, but slightly stewed. Black cherry along with sweet vanilla, chinese five spice, and cinnamon as well as a slight herbal edge, though none of the notable eucalyptus that has made this wine of legend so controversial. Structure to lay down, it will probably be at its best in 10-12 years and drink well for another decade.
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This wine is tight at this point, but very good nonetheless. Black cherry with some herbal notes that are very nice. Complex, this wine is delicious now, but will clearly be fantastic in another 5-10 years.
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Tasted at Omaha's RiverFront Wine Festival. Nose: Expressive scents of eucalyptus and dark fruit - very lovely. Palate: Full bodied dominated by the black fruit with just a hint of a vegetable component. Finish: Lengthy sensations of dark fruit and a little spice.
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Pouring at winery during month of February. Not as dense as the 2004 in my opinion. Brighter fruit with some glycerin on the finish and drinking surprising well for being young. Good complexity that will likely develop further over the next 5 years. While I enjoyed this wine very much and it is certainly more refined than the 05 Bella Oaks, for the price tag I might opt to have 2+ bottles of Bella over 1 bottle of Martha's.
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1/23/2024 - spendergast Likes this wine: 95 Points
Decanted 1.5 hrs. Notes of dark fruit: plum, black raspberry, with notes of damp earth and cedar. Tannins are well integrated with long finish.
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12/23/2023 - M.Leblanc Likes this wine: 94 Points
Still a young wine. Carafe have been necessary. Mouthful of eucalyptus, anise, then currant and plums. In a good spot but this as many years in bank.
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11/23/2023 - johnandlindsay wrote:
Special Thanksgiving wine. Special year. Broke my body then my heart.
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10/1/2023 - Mortgage92 Likes this wine: 92 Points
The drink window shown for this wine is way to long. In fact on my bottle, which has bee properly sored in a controlled cellar, I noticed that the flavors were getting a little soft (light). I would drink this wine now or in the next 2 years...ok, maybe 3, but I would not go much longer unless you prefer a very light wine. In general, I expect about 20 years from California cab grapes - can anyone document a longer drink window? I could go on about flavors and tannins, but the other notes cover this well.
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8/2/2023 - mick978@gmail.com Likes this wine: 93 Points
Excellent nose and tasting young, full bodied
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1/27/2023 - MaximusT Likes this wine: 90 Points
It’s not outstanding. It should have been. In September 1999 we drove up US 1 in a convertible. Fantastic ride, but we were on a mission: pick up a case of Heitz Martha’s Vineyard and ship it back home to THE BOSS. We parked and rolled into the winery forgetting that Y2K was going to end the world. We sat at the bar, had some sips and slowly realized that this wine was over our heads. The credit cards were burning holes in our pockets. How could we actually pay for a case of this wine? We waited and prayed that the charge went through…it did. So we drove to the “ship the wine” store, packed up the case, sent it to the boss and never saw it again. So here we are tonight, 22+ years later, we skipped the Burgundy and pulled out this 2005 Heitz Martha’s Vineyard. We joked how in the last millennium we couldn’t afford this wine, popped the cork and waited for perfection and…it did not come. It was plum, blackberry jam and strawberry. Not the signature Heitz profile we expected. We sipped and questioned whether it was us or the wine. It wasn’t our pairing (steak). So we went back to the cellar and pulled out a newer Heitz “2014 Trailside”. And there it was, Heitz magic. Everything you would have expected in the 2005 Martha; mint, eucalyptus, dark chocolate. It wasn’t that the 2005 wasn’t good, it just didn’t remind us of driving up the coast on a dime with the wind blowing in our hair.
PS. A night of two bottles of Heitz is a good night
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10/2/2022 - TWSA wrote: 88 Points
Nose: blackcurrant jam, violet
Notes: It is indeed a mistake to consume this bottle so early. It was an experiment to see if this wine is ready yet but unfortunately this bottle requires at least another 5 years of cellaring. Very full bodied with excellent aroma, it is difficult to spot much secondary notes in the wine even with 17 years of aging. Certainly it has not been an ideal result and even with the help of a decanter we are nowhere near an optimal drinking window. Personally I feel that new American CS (for that I'm generalizing but I mainly refer to the post 00s) are sometimes just too fruit driven, and such approach would most certainly sacrifice the balance of the wine hence the concentration will often be a bit overwhelming. Unfortunately this applies to most makers in Napa. It is hard to say just yet if this approach will yield magical results in 15-20 years when these wines have finally reached their peak drinking time. I shall continue to try these in the coming years and hopefully the sacrifices made in the wines early years can be compensated.
Drink: 2027+
Rating: 88
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2/5/2022 - G_H wrote: 97 Points
Oh yes!! This nose just screams Martha's! Red berries, eucalyptus and mint. Beautifully dense and opulent but not at all overripe. I guess this will easily live to see it's 50th birthday. I will need to get myself a magnum or two of this...
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11/12/2021 - Hanibal Likes this wine: 93 Points
Opened without proper aeration but still showed very well. I would give this 2 to 3 hours minimum in decanter at this stage
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3/20/2021 - Hilltime Likes this wine: 95 Points
Opened for our 30th anniversary and decanted for approx an hour. Deep black fruit nose with hints of tobacco and leather. Initial taste of deep, deep, black cherry and plum with the telltale Martha's eucalyptus profile. Superb wine with such power and depth of flavor which lasted for the next hour. Excellent paring with filet and ribeye. Still has yrs ahead for enjoyment. Hadn't had a Martha's since the 1991,opened for our 20th anniversay which @ twenty yrs old had the same profile. Unique Napa bottling which still delivers!!!
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12/24/2020 - Gatekeeper wrote:
!
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9/24/2020 - jkscully Likes this wine:
At first I thought there was a slight hint of TCA in this wine: slight musty taste after popping the cork and the flavors seem a bit muted. I think it was just reduction and not yet having enough air. This is a powerful wine and it needed lots of air and time before it showed best. I finally had it firing on all cylinders by day 2. I get black currant, boysenberry, raisins, dates, and violet along with the distinctive Euchalyptus flavor that everyone always talks about, tobacco, tar, brandy, savory notes of salty black olives and thyme, wet earth, and Rutherford dust (as John Gilman noted). Smoke, cedar, and vanilla from the oak. Despite the savory qualities, this also had a pleasantly sweet sensation to it as well. Lots of energy and smooth tannins, though additional bottle age would have helped—it still seemed a bit tight. I wish I had more because I think another 5 years would make it even better. Very good, though I might have slightly preferred the well-aged Dunn that I opened recently (but only slightly).
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8/1/2020 - slapsht007 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Wish I had more!
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5/26/2020 - fdub Likes this wine: 94 Points
Pitch perfect. Texture and balance is superb with pure lush fruit and nice minty note.
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5/15/2020 - rickspicks wrote: 94 Points
Big nose of dark fruits, earth, oak and a hint of funk - my first thought was how much this was similar to an aged bordeaux. Complex flavors dominated by cassis that matched the aromas along with spices, minerals and a hint of eucalyptus. Full-bodied with a firm structure, and more acidity than I expected. Food friendly with a steak and mushrooms. A delight to drink.
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3/29/2020 - Order66 Likes this wine: 94 Points
This is good. Immediately I smell eucalyptus trees and mint. Some berries, wood and black tea. It has really good flavours. Savory, but still fruity, and strong. Very poised. Not the best Martha’s vintage, but it keeps the pedigree. I’m waiting another 3 years to see where it goes.
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2/17/2020 - Gas Station Wine Guy Likes this wine: 95 Points
Nose- dark brambly fruits with violets, eucalyptus, mint & earthy notes with sun dried tomatoes & black pepper.
Palate- dark fruits, lots of minerals with juicy acidity, violets, eucalyptus notes, followed by some oak. Full bodied, medium tannins & a dark fruit finish. Stellar stuff!
Still has some upside I think.
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2/4/2020 - sdr Does not like this wine: 88 Points
I Guess I Just Don’t Get It (Ft. Lauderdale, Florida): I like a touch of mint in my wine, but this is ridiculous, even for the eucalyptus loving Martha’s. No tannin, barely hanging together. If you can wipe the Crest off your lips, it’s halfway decent but no more.
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1/3/2020 - jzebrack Likes this wine: 90 Points
I was a bit disappointed. In fairness, we did not have the opportunity to decant and let it breathe for a couple hours, nor did we drink it with heavy foods such as steaks. So I guess we did not give it a really good chance, but I did leave aside a portion of a glass and re-tasted perhaps an hour and a half after opening, and was still not wow'ed.
This was my first Martha's Vineyard. We are big fans of Heitz Trailside and Bella Oaks, so we are certainly familiar with their style of wine making.
The bottle was certainly not flawed. It was just a matter of high expectations that were not met. To me it tasted like a pretty ordinary bottle of wine.
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11/28/2019 - ascharff wrote: 87 Points
Something off with this bottle. Hopefully not typical of my two other bottles
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8/24/2019 - Amerique wrote: 92 Points
Rich, slight raisin
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8/25/2018 - slapsht007 Likes this wine: 93 Points
This could lie for many years and still now drank wonderfully. After a two hour decant, it initially had the flavor of bright fruit like strawberries and, well, grapes, but a while in the glass and it moved to richer flavors like black cherries and dates.
Great finish throughout.
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7/15/2018 - Tsliwinski Likes this wine: 95 Points
A wow here. The hallmark Heitz little taste of eucalyptus in a full bodied rich red cab. Delicious
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5/21/2018 - oldcorke wrote: 92 Points
There is, of course.. a minty lift in the nose. It's more evident the 2nd day. The 1st day... you'll be greeted by black tar, purple lilac, and subtle camphor overlaying deep dark black fruit. There is substantial acid.. but it is hardly without company. Gigantic, subtly plummy black fruit is at her elbow like the guy who's a little too old for the girl at the bar. Of course... sleek and polished tannins wait quietly knowing its presence and integrity will be relished. She won't go home alone... tho more than likely with the unsavory character smoking a stale cigarette in that dark corner booth... many years hence. For now... the extravagance of her curves are enticing ..
and I must say... her (much) older sister was extraordinary....
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5/7/2018 - MattMauldin Likes this wine:
Wine Spectator Grand Tour - Las Vegas: Aromas of cherry, eucalyptus, florals, currant. Big red fruit on the palate- currant and cherries, richly layered with black team spices and cedar. Full round tannins. Big finish. Needs time.
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5/5/2018 - mkoss Likes this wine: 96 Points
Fabulous!
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4/24/2018 - MC2 Wines Likes this wine:
WS Grand Tour in NYC (Marriott Marquis): Very nice and here again the age was evident and really made the wine stand out compared to some of the others being poured. It’s much too young at this point. Lots of cracked black pepper. A hint of alcohol, but suspect that would blow off pretty quickly. Hints of fruit. Nice.
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3/25/2018 - Loren Sonkin wrote: 94 Points
Dinner with friends (Grange, Krug, Caymus ++) (Robert's): In a great place right now. Purple in color, ruby at the rim. The nose hits immediately with that eucalyptus/mint note. Plenty of cassis, with a slight liqueur quality. With air, the cassis becomes more pronounced along with some cedar and plums. On the palate, this is still old school Napa in style. Not boisterous but plenty of cassis fruit. Tightly layered, it continued to improve in the glass. Nice balance and food friendly. Not sure if it gets better but probably more bordeaux-like. In any event, a wonderful wine today.
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2/14/2018 - Black Kat Likes this wine: 90 Points
-Bottle served at room temperature (68°)
-Cork in excellent condition, 2-5 mm wine bleed
-Decanted for 1 hour
-Color: Deep red with sight oxidation.
-Nose: Strawberry up front with burnt wood, spice and brandy on the back.
-Palate: Dried apricot up front with burnt wood (oak), brandy and spice on the back end. Similar to the nose. Medium mouth feel and acidity with a short quick finish.
-Food Pairing: Paired rib eye steaks
-Overall: Feeling like this is on the back end of its lifespan. Fruit and tannins were very soft and other subtle flavors were coming through but not the structure and acidity that balanced this wine out in prior bottles. Still very nice and enjoyable but would not pair this with steak next time. Maybe something a bit lighter. Time to drink up the remaining bottles.
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2/3/2018 - jkvedar Likes this wine: 92 Points
Terrific showing of this classic. The mint comes through intensely on the nose. Palate is completely balanced and elegant. A touch hot on the finish. Highly recommended if you can get it. Compared to the ‘04, a big hit with grilled steak, baked potato and salad!!
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12/21/2017 - Tahoebrad wrote: 89 Points
A big disappointment. Didn’t evolve much with a decant. Liquor nose and taste with a short finish.
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5/14/2017 - RussK wrote: 92 Points
Russk. Wine Spectator Gran Tour at the Fontainebleau. No Jam. Yes eucalyptus and mint.
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2/19/2017 - rlove wrote: 93 Points
Dark purple. Rich and dark but not overripe, with cassis, mint, and cedar on the nose. Surprisingly silky, with nice acidity, and flavors of blackberry preserve and dried herbs leading to a lingering, mineral-laden finish. The 2005 Martha's Vineyard saturates the palate. Drink through 2025+. (Bottle number 5933)
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1/25/2017 - la turque wrote: 91 Points
Ad Hoc Tasting (Chez Moi): Nose dominated my mint and eucalyptus, and well as chambord liqueur / raspberry jam. Balanced on the palate, but a little disjointed. Drinking now.
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1/14/2017 - rocknroller wrote: 92 Points
Chef's Choice Dinner in the North Loop: A Night of Burgundy (David's Place, Mpls): Very dark red color. This was a bonus bottle that Craig shared from the previous night. A little warm at first pour and then a chilled pour was more vibrant. Typical mint nose with vanilla, creme de cassis fruits, boysenberry, medium plus body, tasty. I'll refer you to Chablis28's detailed and insightful note for more. 92+pts.
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1/13/2017 - chablis28 wrote: 92 Points
Decanted for a solid 2-1/2 hrs then back in the btl just before leaving for St Paul Grill. Removed cork again on arrival, took a pour to let evolve in glass & started drinking around 30 minutes later. This is wide open & if you like young Cabs you'll be very happy. For me the oak still needs better integration the biggest obstacle to this reaching its full potential currently. That said, once you put the oak out of your mind you finds lots else to love like its; smoky creosote, mint & dark fruited nose. The palate still has some baby fat to shed. Tannins are pretty smooth & yet there is enough zip to keep this fresh. The palate is a complex cornucopia for dark fruit, spice, cedar, mint & chocolate. I think this is fun now but if you only have 1 or 2 wait till at least 2020. I won't open btl #2 until 2020+. For many people this may already be a 93pt+ wine. For those of us who like everything in its place and more fully resolved, it’s a solid 92pts. Plenty of upside yet IMO. Alc 14.5% Best served around 55 degrees. Its not much fun at 68+ degrees.
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12/15/2016 - CamWheeler wrote: 92 Points
Beat your 2016 WOTY Dinner: Bottled in June 2009. Cedar, mint, redcurrant, menthol and some charcoal as well. Quite sweet fruit initially on the palate, but then a real savoury element sweeps through the mid palate. Young but feels quite open and there is plenty to like about this already.
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12/10/2016 - MAXIMUM SATISFACTION wrote: 96 Points
Had in a vertical of 03-06 Martha's. Decanted for 3 hours. Much more structured than the rest of the lineup with plenty of tannin and acid. Fruit is very ripe and fresh. Plums, creamy vanilla, licorice, and chocolate covered cherry. Eucalyptus and mint start to emerge on the finish near the end of the night. Has 10 more years until peak.
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10/6/2016 - MarcelloW Likes this wine: 93 Points
Full bodied. Black fruit. Silky, round and smooth. The quite high level of alcohol (14.5%) doesn't show and is well integrated. Can easily be drunken now, but may even be better in another few years.
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9/16/2016 - ozziewine Likes this wine: 96 Points
Really a joy to drink. 2-3 hours of air seems to be the optimum amount.
It is light, but at the same time complex which results in a very graceful feeling on the palate. It is mature, but doesn't taste tired...very youthful tasting actually...and bright.
I agree with J30's note from July that this is at its' peak, particularly if you like Cabs that are brighter.
Another great Heitz Martha's.
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8/10/2016 - milwaukeewino wrote:
Well that doesn't suck. Rather fine indeed n
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7/24/2016 - BigKeith wrote: 93 Points
The wine has medium acidity. The wine finishes medium. The wine looks purple colored. The legs are slow. There is light sediment in the bottle. The wine has smooth texture. Very nice. Will try again next year.
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7/12/2016 - j30 wrote: 93 Points
Believe it is at its peak now. Medium nose of black cherry, plum, licorice, vanilla and chocolate. Balanced, richly flavored, velvetly palate with very fine tannins. Delicious wine.
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5/24/2016 - RayOB Likes this wine: 95 Points
The Judgement of Paris (67 Pall Mall): Absolutely lovely. Power depth and finesse. Yum Yum
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5/13/2016 - jmprusko Does not like this wine: 85 Points
felt like it was a bit oxidized, two bottles in a row, still have four left, maybe they'll be better
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4/5/2016 - Eric Guido Likes this wine: 94 Points
Rich, deep and intense, the 2005 Heitz Martha's has just entered its drinking window with an explosive bouquet of dark red fruits and exotic spice, minty herbs, and sweet tobacco as hints of fresh cedar joined the fray and added depth. It was like silk on the palate, weighty yet remarkably refined, with crushed black cherry and blackberry preserves, spice, minerals, and savory herbs, followed by fine tannin providing grip. The finish showed more of its youthful structure with saturating dark fruits and a hint of bitter herbs. The 2005 Heitz Martha’s is simply stunning.
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3/29/2016 - NapaInBaltimore Likes this wine: 97 Points
Wow! This juice rocks. Truly exceptional, and may even rival some of the older, more famous Martha's Vineyard vintages I've tried in the past, if my biased memory is correct. Beautiful color, opaque, dark ruby, still appears on the young side. Bouquet is wonderful even as it's poured, mainly dark berries and perhaps a touch of mint, to my untrained nose. Flavors are multi-layered and lingering, but definitely smack of concentrated black currant, plus hints of eucalyptus (which I may be tasting purely due to knowing that's a "classic" flavor in great cabs from the Oakville valley floor terroir -- although I am entirely convinced there's a subtle eucalyptus note in there!). I consider myself lucky to have had a chance to enjoy this great wine.
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3/27/2016 - srshane Likes this wine: 93 Points
I decanted it 2 hours ahead of time and it still needed more time to fully open. It was drinking beautifully 3-4 hours after opening.
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3/23/2016 - CManthei wrote: 94 Points
Very concentrated and structured, it is in my opinion approaching optimal drinking. Forest floor and tobacco leaf combined with dark ripe black berries, menthol and cassis. A lovely wine with very well integrated alcohol.
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12/8/2015 - mkoss Likes this wine: 94 Points
Strong tannins, lots of dark berry fruit and glycerin, graphite, nice balance, long finish. Elegant, not huge or overpowering. Drink now.
Now after 2 hours in the glass, this wine has exploded into cab goodness - complex, chewy, classy fruit, less tannic and tangy, and a huge finish. I underestimated it based on the 1st hour. Raised it from 91 to 94.
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11/8/2015 - scott w Likes this wine: 91 Points
Dark fruit black fruit plum gritty tannins and eucalyptus a lot of eucalyptus, interesting wine and stayed light on its feet due to some strong acid imo.
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10/23/2015 - La Cave d'Argent Likes this wine: 93 Points
2015 New York Wine Experience Trip; 10/19/2015-10/27/2015 (New York City, NY): This 10-year-old wine has a very youthful opaque ruby robe. On the nose and palate, it struts black currant and dark plum fruit, accented by cocoa, graphite, eucalyptus and mint. Full-bodied, freshly acidic, seamlessly alcoholic (14.5%) and with substantial fine-grained tannins, it gains traction in the middle and closes medium-to-long. I suspect that this wine has just entered its drinking window. Based upon its fruit and structure, it should last a long time. Drink now-2035.
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9/28/2015 - mwneil Likes this wine: 94 Points
Very nice wine, tannin and terroir, more character than the average Cali cab, enjoyed with lobster tails, drank in FW, would drink again
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10/12/2014 - raypedia Likes this wine: 93 Points
En magnum, showing beautifully. Brooding dark fruit aromas, dusty elements. Deep, opaque color, full bodied. More dark fruit on the palate, still bright and sweet notes tempered with dusty notes, some graphite and earthy undertones. Grippy tannins that seem to be just starting to integrate. Tart acidity, and long finish.
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4/30/2014 - austinbeeman- austinbeeman.com Likes this wine: 96 Points
Ok. My tastes have really changed on this. On May 16, 2013: I rated this only 87 points.
Today, it was the stand out of the tasting. A true wine of Napa Valley Terroir with an awesome herbal complexity (dare I say Eucalyptus) that defines everything about this wine. This isn't about Cabernet - this is about the taste of Martha's Vineyard. Medium weight body that reminds one of the refinement in good Bordeaux. Layered and complex. This wine would really reward more attention than I was able to pay it.
$250 OH Retail
www.austinbeeman.com
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3/27/2014 - cabber Likes this wine: 95 Points
California cabs 1995-1997 v. 2005-2007 (Manhattan Beach, CA): Huge nose, tannic, young. Great potential
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11/6/2013 - redwiner Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drinking perfect, as a Martha's should. 2005 vintage is hitting it's stride early, but I'm not surprised for that vintage.
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10/5/2013 - rossi.wine wrote: 94 Points
Stunning nose, liquorice, forest notes, herbs, lots of red fruit, tobacco. Very round on the palate, driven by ripe succulent fruit, acidity and tannins are kicking in late, leading to a long, lingering and slightly spicy finish. Fantastic wine, great future, but delicious now.
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9/28/2013 - canan wrote: 97 Points
BYO - US wines (Skovridderkroen): Wild wine with lovely black currant jam and a hint of eucalyptus.
A beautiful wine!!
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9/25/2013 - Champagneinhand Likes this wine: 92 Points
Less alcohol on the nose and slightly less new oak is used, but it hasn't really integrated much yet. This is full of bright red fruit and black fruits. Cassis, red currant and red and black raspberry. Earthy again with thick chewy tannins. I think this has the potential to go for a good 50 years. Has all the right stuffing, but for the price, I would buy Insignia or LB Bordeaux. $150 is nothing to sneeze at considering Heitz puts out 40,000 bottles a year total.
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9/23/2013 - ChezAlice wrote:
Drank with Greg along with 2008 Backus from Phelps. Both were very nice.
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5/16/2013 - austinbeeman- austinbeeman.com Does not like this wine: 87 Points
WORST BUY!
Lack of depth or complexity. Not great. Just seemed like another Cabernet to me, but I'm certainly the minority here.
$169.99 OH retail
www.austinbeeman.com
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2/20/2013 - RayOB Likes this wine: 95 Points
Drank in London
Lot's of primary fruits with a background of mint, spice, chocolate and vanilla. Wonderfully silky smooth mouth with a great length. A really beautiful Cabernet.
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2/24/2012 - Zweder Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very intense bouquet with primary fruits, eucalyptus, mint, fennel and some chocolate. Same on the palate; red as well as dark berry fruits, some clove as well. Very juicy, spicy, a bit earth and a lot of chocolate. The tannin is soft and round but still so youthful. Great wine which I hope to taste again 5 - 8 years from now. 93+
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12/26/2011 - yofog wrote: 93 Points
Lovely, but I actually preferred the Trailside, and I don't think this is so much better, in a general way, as to warrant the huge increase in price.
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6/24/2011 - fdub wrote: 94 Points
This is only my second Heitz Martha's the other I had so long ago I can't really remember it. However what I do recall is that outstanding mint and eucalyptus this wine has on the nose and the palate. I LOVE IT. Suave mouthfeel that is powerful yet deft and balanced all at once. Such a unique drinking experience. This wine is built to last. Will definitely acquire more.
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10/12/2010 - Sweet_Berry_Wine!! wrote: 93 Points
Quite young at this stage but still drinking nicely. Concentrated flavors of red fruit, ripe, but slightly stewed. Black cherry along with sweet vanilla, chinese five spice, and cinnamon as well as a slight herbal edge, though none of the notable eucalyptus that has made this wine of legend so controversial. Structure to lay down, it will probably be at its best in 10-12 years and drink well for another decade.
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9/30/2010 - RedLoverJim Likes this wine: 93 Points
This wine is tight at this point, but very good nonetheless. Black cherry with some herbal notes that are very nice. Complex, this wine is delicious now, but will clearly be fantastic in another 5-10 years.
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9/12/2010 - gregwood wrote: 90 Points
Had to rush through the tasting at the very end of the event. Would like to try again.
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8/28/2010 - prasm wrote: 92 Points
Tasted at Omaha's RiverFront Wine Festival. Nose: Expressive scents of eucalyptus and dark fruit - very lovely. Palate: Full bodied dominated by the black fruit with just a hint of a vegetable component. Finish: Lengthy sensations of dark fruit and a little spice.
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7/29/2010 - teamhams wrote: 95 Points
Delicious. Complex dark berry, earth and smoke. Long finish. A joy.
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2/5/2010 - aaronwine wrote: 93 Points
Pouring at winery during month of February. Not as dense as the 2004 in my opinion. Brighter fruit with some glycerin on the finish and drinking surprising well for being young. Good complexity that will likely develop further over the next 5 years. While I enjoyed this wine very much and it is certainly more refined than the 05 Bella Oaks, for the price tag I might opt to have 2+ bottles of Bella over 1 bottle of Martha's.
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