Heitz Cellar Napa Cabernet Linda Falls 2014 750ml

Only the second vintage from our estate Linda Falls Vineyard, which is comprised of seven hilltop acres on Howell Mountain, this small vineyard produces one of three vineyard designate Cabernets in the Heitz Cellar collection and is only available directly from the winery. Its full palate shows how refined and elegant a Howell Mountain wine is; a firm tannin structure yet silky, with a juicy lingering finish. Undeniably made in the classic Heitz style, it has a liveliness to it with balanced acidity. This wine is ready to drink now but it will continue to reward for the next 10+ years.

95 Pts – Decanter
Much deliberation goes into introducing vineyard designates at Heitz, and the 2014 Linda Falls Cabernet is only the second release from this site, planted in 2002. It aged for one year in large American oak vessels before being transferred into French oak barrels for two more years. It is classic Howell Mountain: gritty, burly and driving, with dark, drying, rustic tones running through the finish. It is fascinating to taste a mountain-grown Cabernet from this predominantly valley floor-oriented producer.

94 Pts – Wine Spectator
This sports a youthfully rugged edge to the mix of black currant and fig paste flavors, as tobacco leaf, tar and bramble notes assert themselves through the finish. Shows a sense of freshness throughout, with a bolt of licorice snap grounding everything in the end. Very solid. Best from 2021 through 2040.

93 Pts – James Suckling
This is accented in the blue-fruit direction with blueberry and cassis aromas, laced with fresh leaves and mountain herbs. The palate has succulent and attractively fresh texture with plenty of redcurrant and cassis flavor. Drink or hold.