9x Heitz Martha‘s Vineyard (60s/70s/80s): Tasting these wines from three decades underscores the vineyard's ability to produce long-lived, high-quality wines with remarkable consistency, perhaps unmatched in Napa Valley during those years. While there is a clear line through the decades the tasting showcased the many faces these wines have, as some were still vibrant and young while others were on an absolut peak. The 1978 vintage was the winner, earning a perfect 100pts for its mature complexity, including malt and coffee nuances, a lively fruit core, and formidable structure. The 1969 and 1975 vintages were not far behind (both at 97pts).
TN: This wine starts with a vibrant nose of dark berries, smoke, tobacco, and truffle, offering a hint of intriguing sweetness. Initially, the palate seems underwhelming, lacking the robust structure expected, with faint notes of fruit, smoke, and ash. Initially rated lower, it developed more body and nuance after an hour, revealing fine red berries with a Pinot-esque delicacy. Despite this improvement, it remained the least impressive in the lineup, lacking the characteristic fruit core, minty freshness, and structured depth typical of a great Martha's.
Decanter: A short decant should do the job.
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Drunk at the end of the night, this was dismissed by others as quite light after the '68, '69, and '74 and it was, but I really liked it. I appreciated its equilibrium and the fine details - redcurrant, eucalyptus, and an appealing warm earth and old leather element. I wouldn't mind encountering this again. 94ish.
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California Wine Weekend; 12/1/2023-12/3/2023 (Mos Eisley Cantina & Waterhouse Restaurant): Nose: Demure black fruit, eucalyptus, lacy and perfumed. Gentle red berry and cedar notes. Palate: A bit on the red raspberry and currant end of the fruit spectrum, and has a zippy acidity about it. Classic Martha's eucalyptus, cedar and cocoa pull the palate together. Finish: Elegant and seamless in the closing portion of the wine.
In the context of the 68, 69 and 74 this is a step behind, but it is very pretty and has an elegance about it that is not in the more intense vintages.
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Poker night - Reds double blind - 91 Musar, 09 Coche Perrieres, 67 Marthas and etc.: Paul initially mentions “The eucalyptus note reminds me Marthas” but he changes his guess. This is a classic Marthas with so much eucalyptus, no resemblance to Bordeaux. Medium expressive nose displaying plum and delicate, slightly dry cherry, cinnamon, strong note of eucalyptus, mint, leather and mineral. Fully resolved palate with good acidity and mineral presence, clean finish with strong eucalyptus as the end note. It is starting to decline but the strong eucalyptus note gives some energy. It is a bit monolithic, i.e. plum and eucalyptus which is not uncommon in old California cabs for my palate. Nevertheless quite enjoyable.
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Bottle was in pretty sorry shape, but wine was lovely. Very mature, as expected. Mid shoulder fill, cork saturated and almost rotten looking. Wine was all silky, soft fruit, old leather, and just a faint hint of classic Martha eucalyptus. A very pleasant surprise!
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The 3rd of 4 over lunch at Auberge-du-Pommier. The wine had a complex life over 45 minutes from bottle to decanter to glass. The consensus at the table was that this was the most beautiful wine any of us had ever had. Perfect.
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This bottle was in great condition with a very top shoulder fill. It showed a medium red center and orange rims. The nose was classic Martha's with attractive mint with cherrys and chocolate.
As is so often the case, even with wines that seem like they should be ready upon opening, this bottle seemed a bit thin in the beginning. It needed 3-4 hours of air to show its best. In the mouth it was medium bodied with low acidity, great richness, rounded tannin, and good length.
While not as powerful and intense as the '70 or '74, it was a joy to drink. I see no reason to not drink this wine ASAP.
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Bottle condition and fill good. Cork extracted in pieces. Very bordeaux-like; blind I would have guessed St. Estephe. Lovely evolution over 2 hours. Tannins resolved, lovely wine. Did not get eucalyptus and only the slightest suggestion that this was a California wine. Superb.
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Amazingly good. Drank for my 40th birthday, uncorked and drank immediately. Full and lush, changing minute by minute, went through a series of deep flavors and ultimately was fantastic. A great way to celebrate.
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5/5/2024 - Cailles wrote: 92 Points
9x Heitz Martha‘s Vineyard (60s/70s/80s): Tasting these wines from three decades underscores the vineyard's ability to produce long-lived, high-quality wines with remarkable consistency, perhaps unmatched in Napa Valley during those years. While there is a clear line through the decades the tasting showcased the many faces these wines have, as some were still vibrant and young while others were on an absolut peak. The 1978 vintage was the winner, earning a perfect 100pts for its mature complexity, including malt and coffee nuances, a lively fruit core, and formidable structure. The 1969 and 1975 vintages were not far behind (both at 97pts).
TN: This wine starts with a vibrant nose of dark berries, smoke, tobacco, and truffle, offering a hint of intriguing sweetness. Initially, the palate seems underwhelming, lacking the robust structure expected, with faint notes of fruit, smoke, and ash. Initially rated lower, it developed more body and nuance after an hour, revealing fine red berries with a Pinot-esque delicacy. Despite this improvement, it remained the least impressive in the lineup, lacking the characteristic fruit core, minty freshness, and structured depth typical of a great Martha's.
Decanter: A short decant should do the job.
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12/3/2023 - englishman's claret wrote:
Drunk at the end of the night, this was dismissed by others as quite light after the '68, '69, and '74 and it was, but I really liked it. I appreciated its equilibrium and the fine details - redcurrant, eucalyptus, and an appealing warm earth and old leather element. I wouldn't mind encountering this again. 94ish.
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12/2/2023 - RockinCabs wrote: 95 Points
California Wine Weekend; 12/1/2023-12/3/2023 (Mos Eisley Cantina & Waterhouse Restaurant): Nose: Demure black fruit, eucalyptus, lacy and perfumed. Gentle red berry and cedar notes. Palate: A bit on the red raspberry and currant end of the fruit spectrum, and has a zippy acidity about it. Classic Martha's eucalyptus, cedar and cocoa pull the palate together. Finish: Elegant and seamless in the closing portion of the wine.
In the context of the 68, 69 and 74 this is a step behind, but it is very pretty and has an elegance about it that is not in the more intense vintages.
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1/4/2023 - tmiller wrote: 98 Points
drank side by side with MV 68 and 69. very good 98P
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11/19/2022 - aquacongas Likes this wine: 98 Points
blind, together with 67, 68 and 69
Similar to the perfect 68, maybe a hint less filigree and less elegant. At his peak. Only 12% alc. 98
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10/7/2016 - dcwino wrote: 93 Points
Poker night - Reds double blind - 91 Musar, 09 Coche Perrieres, 67 Marthas and etc.: Paul initially mentions “The eucalyptus note reminds me Marthas” but he changes his guess. This is a classic Marthas with so much eucalyptus, no resemblance to Bordeaux. Medium expressive nose displaying plum and delicate, slightly dry cherry, cinnamon, strong note of eucalyptus, mint, leather and mineral. Fully resolved palate with good acidity and mineral presence, clean finish with strong eucalyptus as the end note. It is starting to decline but the strong eucalyptus note gives some energy. It is a bit monolithic, i.e. plum and eucalyptus which is not uncommon in old California cabs for my palate. Nevertheless quite enjoyable.
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9/18/2015 - kmforster Likes this wine:
Bottle was in pretty sorry shape, but wine was lovely. Very mature, as expected. Mid shoulder fill, cork saturated and almost rotten looking. Wine was all silky, soft fruit, old leather, and just a faint hint of classic Martha eucalyptus. A very pleasant surprise!
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2/27/2012 - RoyceTdot wrote: 100 Points
The 3rd of 4 over lunch at Auberge-du-Pommier. The wine had a complex life over 45 minutes from bottle to decanter to glass. The consensus at the table was that this was the most beautiful wine any of us had ever had. Perfect.
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12/18/2010 - fclarity wrote: 93 Points
This bottle was in great condition with a very top shoulder fill. It showed a medium red center and orange rims. The nose was classic Martha's with attractive mint with cherrys and chocolate.
As is so often the case, even with wines that seem like they should be ready upon opening, this bottle seemed a bit thin in the beginning. It needed 3-4 hours of air to show its best. In the mouth it was medium bodied with low acidity, great richness, rounded tannin, and good length.
While not as powerful and intense as the '70 or '74, it was a joy to drink. I see no reason to not drink this wine ASAP.
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2/15/2010 - vindictive wrote:
Bottle condition and fill good. Cork extracted in pieces. Very bordeaux-like; blind I would have guessed St. Estephe. Lovely evolution over 2 hours. Tannins resolved, lovely wine. Did not get eucalyptus and only the slightest suggestion that this was a California wine. Superb.
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6/19/2007 - tshields wrote: 96 Points
Amazingly good. Drank for my 40th birthday, uncorked and drank immediately. Full and lush, changing minute by minute, went through a series of deep flavors and ultimately was fantastic. A great way to celebrate.
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10/27/2006 - rjonwine@gmail.com wrote: 94 Points
Aged Cabs & Dead Cow - Jonathan Dinh OL (Hanzell Chards, '67 Heitz Martha's, '76 Caymus SS) (The Grill, Fairmont Hotel, San Jose, California): Light sweet meat jus nose; light-medium bodied, mature, lovely sweet cassis and tertiary tobacco, mushroom palate with a touch of iodine; long tangy finish
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