Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Martha’s Vineyard 2014

In the spring of 1965, grapegrower Tom May sold the first ever Cabernet Sauvignon plucked off Martha’s Vineyard in Oakville to Joe Heitz. The rest is a slice of Napa Valley history.

From that point on the Oakville vineyard and Heitz winery would both skyrocket to stardom, together becoming amongst the most famous names in American wine. Despite it not being estate fruit, Heitz’s work with the vineyard became so polarizing, it even became the first ever vineyard designate Cabernet Sauvignon in 1966.

Heitz was already a highly regarded winemaker from his decade long run at Beaulieu, before establishing his own winery in 1961. While at Beaulieu, he had gotten wind of this new site and quickly befriended the former school teacher who was just getting into grape growing. He taught May the tricks of the trade in exchange for fruit from May’s Martha Vineyard.

Martha’s Vineyard grapes are unique, importing a distinct chocolate flavor, incredible balance, and immense ageability. Heitz furthered that by deciding to bring in the Cabernet at its absolute ripest – leading to full, jammy Cabernet that yet age gracefully forever.

The partnership lasted until Joe died in 2000. However, the Heitz/May connection still lives on as Joe’s son, David took over all the winemaking duties and has helped catapult the vineyard and project back into the truly world class category.

In 2014, one of Napa’s greatest in the last three decades, it’s little wonder that Heitz’s Martha’s Vineyard was one of the best wines made in the world that year. Perfect 100 points from Wine Enthusiast and a 97 from Decanter who even went so far to say, “the 2014 vintage from this hallowed site is as good as it gets for Napa Valley Cabernet.”