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Heitz Wine Cellars

Heitz Wine Cellars was founded in 1961 by Joe and Alice Heitz. Joe wasn't new to winemaking, as he had studied at University California Davis and then gone on to work at a number of well established Californian wineries, including Beaulieu Vineyards. Joe and Alice laid the foundations for what children David and Kathleen Heitz now continue.

Heitz Wine Cellars originally occupied a small roadside building, and it was not long before the business grew too large for such premises. The Heitz family moved to a disused winery, but maintain the original buildings as a tasting and sales room, utilising its ideal roadside position to the max. The 3 ha of vineyards were soon expanded and now add up to an impressive 140 ha in all, mainly planted with Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, but with a smattering of other varieties too. The wines at Heitz Wine Cellars are led by Martha's Vineyard, with two other single vineyard wines bringing up the rear, Trailside Vineyards and Bella Oaks. There are also Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay cuvées, as well as an number of other varietals including Zinfandel and even a Port-style wine made from Touriga Nacional and other varieties native to Portugal, which are cultivated in Heitz Cellars' Ink Grade Vineyard.

What surprises me about the wines of Heitz Cellars is the extended period of oak ageing that a number of the wines produced undergo. Whereas the top cuvee Martha's Vineyard and possibly, based on this tasting, the Trailside Vineyard have the amount of fruit to withstand the three and a half years in oak (one year in American oak tanks, the remainder in Limousin barrels) to which the wines are subjected, I'm not convinced the same can be said of the Bella Oaks. Even the basic Napa Valley Cabernet sees three years in oak - too long based on this tasting. And yet the team at Heitz Wine Cellars seem to employ a much more restrained application of oak when it comes to their Napa Valley Chardonnay. If only this could be extended to some of the red wines in the range. (17/2/04)

Contact details:
Address: 500 Taplin Road, St. Helena, CA 94574
Telephone: +1 707 963 3542
Fax: +1 707 963 7454
Internet: www.heitzcellar.com

Heitz Wine Cellars - Tasting Notes

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2001

Heitz Chardonnay (Napa Valley) 2001: Ripe tropical fruit on the nose - but also a suggestion of elegance among the riches. There's some oak here but in no way does it swamp the fresh tropical fruit profile on the palate. Good weight - rich, but stylish and balanced. 16.5/20 (November 2003)

2000

Heitz Zinfandel (Napa Valley) 2000: Quite a pale colour here. Spicy fruit on the nose, with a somewhat confected note. The palate has little to impress, although you could describe it as elegant I suppose. Little tannin, but balanced. Overall a lightweight. 14/20 (November 2003)

1999

Heitz Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) 1999: Already showing some maturity on the nose - this and some loss of colour suggest the wine has spent too much time in oak. Good texture - not quite creamy - on the palate, with maturing Cabernet fruit to match that found on the nose. Tannins are integrating nicely, but still show on the finish. Strives for elegance but doesn't quite get there. Good effort though. 15.5/20 (November 2003)

1998

Heitz Cabernet Sauvignon Bella Oaks (Napa Valley) 1998: Again this wine is showing obvious maturity on the nose, and again the loss of colour suggests excessive oak-ageing. There is sweet, ageing Cabernet fruit, with a roasted character. On the palate it is rich and creamy, with a full body, and a persistent tannic grip which reveals itself on the midpalate. There is far more interest here than the last wine. 17/20 (November 2003)

Heitz Cabernet Sauvignon Trailside Vineyard (Napa Valley) 1998: An obvious step up in quality. Much more impact on the nose here, with notes of chocolate and spice and a more youthful feel to it. Muscular, powerful, rich and creamy on the palate, with a ripe tannic structure beneath it all which dominates the finish. Great fruit too. Needs 3 to 4 years in the cellar. 17/20 (November 2003)

1997

Heitz Cabernet Sauvignon Martha's Vineyard (Napa Valley) 1997: A commemorative bottling honouring Joe Heitz. Impressive. Rich chocolate and black fruit aromas. Immediately this wine enters the palate you notice the creamy texture, the tannic structure, and the correct acidity. With fruit and balance this wine has everything it needs for the future. Needs 7 to 8 years in the cellar. 17.5+/20 (November 2003)