96-Points by Owen Bargreen.
The 2018 Heitz Cellar ‘Trailside Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from this gently sloped site in the Rutherford AVA, set on alluvial soils. This site was formerly owned by the Wildwood Ranch. The wine comes from one small block set on volcanic soils. Aged in 100% new French oak, this opens with an alluring bouquet of violet rose petals alongside crushed wet gravel, fresh thyme, cigar box and heady wild blackberry fruit tones. The herbal and rose petal aromatics really make this sing. Medium to full-bodied, with a seamless texture and good sense of length, enjoy this beauty now and over the next fifteen to twenty years to come.
 
Heitz Cellar Trailside Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
From the storied Trailside Vineyard in the heart of Rutherford, this singular expression of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon captures the pedigree of an exceptional site. Part of the Heitz estate since 1984, the vineyard’s rocky alluvial soils, western exposure, and warm days tempered by gentle evening influence yield fruit of remarkable depth and refinement. Crafted exclusively from the estate’s finest blocks of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, each lot is vinified and matured separately before an extended élevage in French oak and bottle. The result is a Cabernet of poise and gravitas, offering layered concentration, polished structure, and the unmistakable signature of Rutherford terroir.
 
Heitz Cellar
Renowned for crafting Napa Valley's first cult wines, Heitz Cellar is globally recognized as the crown jewel of American wine. The timeless post-Prohibition style of winemaking endures with esteemed winemaker, Brittany Sherwood, producing elegant and balanced wines sourced from 100% organic and biodynamic Napa Valley fruit. Pioneering pure varietal, single-vineyard wines that can age for decades, including the iconic Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Heitz Cellar wines hail from the region’s most premier vineyard sites including Oakville, Rutherford, Howell Mountain, St. Helena, and Oak Knoll. Family-owned since its founding in 1961, Heitz Cellar continues to embody the artistry and legacy of classic winemaking with single-vineyard wines that position it as one of the world’s leading wine estates.