Heitz - Cabernet Sauvignon Lot C91 2017

James Suckling: "Wow. Such a racy and exciting nose! This is quite agile and nimble, full of red and blue berries in the forefront, then complemented by spiced orange, earl grey, red plums, potpourri, savory plums and chocolate. Tense and elegant on the palate, which is all about succulent red berries, nuance and texture. Nothing redundant here. A great Napa cabernet sauvignon that has real definition. A beauty by all accounts! Drink or hold."

Decanter: "In 1969, Heitz produced a one-off cuvée called Lot C-91. It was thought of as an elevated version of the Napa Valley Cabernet – a 'best of the best' blend from sites throughout Napa. After a bottle of the '69 turned up and turned heads at a Heitz wine dinner, the winemaking team decided to produce a modern iteration. It's comprised of vineyards in four AVAs: Rutherford (34%), Oakville (34%), Howell Mountain (17%) and St Helena (15%). The dazzling nose instantly shows off the component from Martha's Vineyard and on the palate it walks the line between succulent, powerful, herbal and floral, showing none of the heat of the 2017 vintage. As of June 2020, this was still a barrel sample, while many Napa 2017s are already on the market."

The Wine Advocate: "Originally a blend of single vineyards, including 50% of the volume to come out of Martha's Vineyard, the 2017 Lot C-91 is now a home for borderline lots that don't quite make the single-vineyard bottlings. Marked by notes of black cherries, cassis, restrained oak and a hint of dried herbs, this is full-bodied yet streamlined in shape, with a long, softly dusty finish."

Wine Spectator: "A perfumy style, with damson plum, rooibos tea, sandalwood and mulled cherry aromas and flavors that glide through on a silky structure. Ends with light sanguine and savory threads. Drink now through 2032. 2,960 cases made."

Wine Enthusiast: "Bright, balanced and full of black cherries, this vibrant, moderately tannic wine offers plentiful black-fruit flavors on a slightly tangy texture."