2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Linda Falls Vineyard

These new releases from Heitz, the Cabernets in particular, are transitional wines under its new ownership. The style of these wines remains quite classic, just as it always has been, with some refinements introduced by CEO Carlton McCoy and Winemaker Brittany Sherwood. Aging is still quite long by Napa Valley standards. One of the changes at Heitz has been an introduction of larger format oak in place of barrique for the final three years of aging. In 2018, the year investor Gaylon Lawrence acquired Heitz, those casks were new. As a result, the 2018s presently show a bit more new oak influence than is consistent with the long-term house style here. It will be interesting to see how the wines develop. I suspect that the new oak signature will diminish as the large casks age.

Arkansas businessman Gaylon Lawrence purchased the iconic Heitz Cellar, the first of what has turned out to be a series of remarkable acquisitions focused on iconic wineries and vineyards. In just a short period of time, Lawrence and his team led by Carlton McCoy have built quite an empire. Needless to say, it will be fascinating to see what the new team does here. Given McCoy’s deep respect for the history of Napa Valley, everything I have seen so far points to exalting the legacy of these reference-point properties. In other words, I expect to see refinements at Heitz, but not a drastic change in the style.