Producer: Heitz Wine Cellar  
Region: Napa Valley, California 
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon 
Year: 1979 

Decanter, 94 Points 

"This 1979 deserves to be better known as it's still formidably youthful, demanding several hours in the decanter to open up. When it does, the bouquet offers up a brilliant melange of crunchy blackcurrant, scorched earth, tobacco leaf and, yes, the signature eucalyptus notes for which Martha's Vineyard is so well known. On the palate the wine is virile, bright and dense, endowed with striking minerality. There's no hurry to drink up." 

John Gilman, 94 Points 

"I cannot recall the 1979 Martha’s Vineyard having a great reputation- which is perfectly understandable, given that it came hard on the heels of the celestial 1978, which is surely one of the greatest vintages of Martha’s Vineyard ever produced- but this is a great wine and one of the great 'sleeper' vintages from the decade of the 1970s. The deep, complex and utterly classic nose soars from the glass in a fully mature mélange of red and black cherries, cigar smoke, a touch of petroleum jelly, a beautiful base of Martha’s soil, fresh herbs, nutty overtones and just a touch of cedary wood. On the palate the wine is deep, pure and full-bodied, with lovely plushness on the attack, a sappy core of fruit, a fine signature of soil, melting tannins and absolutely stunning length and grip on the classic finish. A beautiful, beautiful vintage of Martha’s Vineyard and one of my absolute favorites for current drinking." 

Wine Spectator, 90 Points 

"Pure Martha's with its minty currant flavors, there's a touch of maturity, with cedar, earth and just a trace of nuttiness. Still, quite complete and complex, with soft tannins.--1979 California Cabernet retrospective." 

Alcohol: 13.5% 

*Discounts do not apply to items like this one in the Fine & Rare category. Price and availability in store may vary.