Heitz Cellar, the winery that helped define Napa Valley’s first cult wines, stands today as a true icon of American winemaking. Under the stewardship of acclaimed winemaker Brittany Sherwood, its timeless, post‑Prohibition style endures—elegant, balanced wines crafted exclusively from 100% organic and biodynamic Napa Valley fruit. A pioneer of pure varietal, single‑vineyard expressions built to age for decades, Heitz Cellar is home to the legendary Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon and a portfolio sourced from Napa’s most coveted sites, including Oakville, Rutherford, Howell Mountain, St. Helena, and Oak Knoll. Family‑owned since 1961, the estate continues to champion classic craftsmanship and site‑driven character, securing its place among the world’s most revered wine estates.
The 2021 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon bounds from the glass with Heitz’s signature pure red cherry and redcurrant flavors, accented by notes of red plum flesh, mint, underbrush, and dark cocoa. Its firm acidity and tannin, all in harmony with its plush mouthfeel, means this wine will fascinate you for decades. With Napa Valley’s average price for Cabernet Sauvignon cresting $100 these days, it’s also a phenomenal comparative value, outscoring some culty names at double the price.
99 Decanter Remarkably pure and fresh. Pristine black cherry and blackberry, layered with beautiful violet aromas. Everything builds with precision and focus, supported by gorgeously firm, taut, mineral-rich tannins that bring energy and drive. The wine is compact and tightly wound at this youthful stage, its intensity truly emblematic of the vintage.
94 James Suckling Dark fruit aromas of blackberries, bitter chocolate, dried herbs, blackcurrants, black olives and graphite. The palate is full-bodied with a textural, rounded mouthfeel and finely integrated tannins, leading to a savory, fruit-driven finish.
94 Wine Spectator Ripe, fresh and focused, offering a lovely beam of red currant and plum coulis alongside savory, violet, tobacco and singed cedar hints. Finishes with a late twang of iron.
93 Vinous The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley) is fabulous. Plump and vibrant, with good up-front fruit and bright acids, the 2021 captures the essence of modern classicism that is typical of the Heitz wines today. This is a superb entry-level offering from Heitz. Floral overtones brighten the finish.
