- About This Wine
- Ratings & Reviews
- Tasting Notes
About This Wine
Ratings & Reviews
Tasting Notes
ABOUT THIS WINE
REVIEWS
WINEMAKER NOTES
From the fabled Rutherford Bench, the 2017 Heitz Cellar Trailside Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon emerges as a wine of profound pedigree, combining the timeless structure of Napa Valley’s classic era with the refinement only decades of vineyard mastery can yield. This is a wine that speaks fluently of its terroir—Rutherford dust in all its subtle, savory complexity—woven into a tapestry of elegance and depth that will captivate collectors and connoisseurs alike. The vintage, blessed with a long, even growing season, allowed the Cabernet Sauvignon to achieve perfect phenolic ripeness, creating a wine that balances generous fruit with impeccable structure.
In the glass, the 2017 Trailside Cabernet opens with an arresting bouquet of blackcurrant, ripe blackberry, and crushed violet, accented by warm notes of cedar, graphite, and a whisper of mint—a sensory overture that is as much about place as it is about the varietal. With air, the aromatics deepen, revealing subtler layers of anise, dried sage, and cocoa powder, hinting at the wine’s capacity to evolve gracefully for decades. This is Rutherford Cabernet in its purest expression: regal, harmonious, and impeccably detailed.
On the palate, the wine delivers both power and poise. Juicy cassis and dark cherry fruit form the core, framed by fine-grained tannins and a lively spine of acidity that propels the flavors through a remarkably long finish. The oak integration is masterful—adding polish and nuance without overshadowing the fruit—while the mid-palate carries a supple density that speaks to meticulous vineyard work and restrained cellar craftsmanship. There is an almost architectural precision to its structure, with each element in perfect proportion.
The finish is a lingering meditation of black tea, crushed herbs, and that distinctive Rutherford dust, leaving the palate refreshed and eager for another sip. While this wine is already delivering exceptional pleasure, its balance and concentration suggest a graceful evolution over 20 years or more. Properly cellared, it will reward patience with a kaleidoscopic unfolding of secondary and tertiary complexities.
The 2017 Heitz Trailside Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is more than a testament to one of Napa Valley’s great sites—it is a celebration of heritage, craftsmanship, and the enduring allure of classical winemaking. For those seeking an authentic, age-worthy Napa Cabernet with both soul and stature, this bottling stands as a benchmark. It is the kind of wine that defines a cellar and tells the story of a place with every sip.
Alcohol: 13.7%
In the glass, the 2017 Trailside Cabernet opens with an arresting bouquet of blackcurrant, ripe blackberry, and crushed violet, accented by warm notes of cedar, graphite, and a whisper of mint—a sensory overture that is as much about place as it is about the varietal. With air, the aromatics deepen, revealing subtler layers of anise, dried sage, and cocoa powder, hinting at the wine’s capacity to evolve gracefully for decades. This is Rutherford Cabernet in its purest expression: regal, harmonious, and impeccably detailed.
On the palate, the wine delivers both power and poise. Juicy cassis and dark cherry fruit form the core, framed by fine-grained tannins and a lively spine of acidity that propels the flavors through a remarkably long finish. The oak integration is masterful—adding polish and nuance without overshadowing the fruit—while the mid-palate carries a supple density that speaks to meticulous vineyard work and restrained cellar craftsmanship. There is an almost architectural precision to its structure, with each element in perfect proportion.
The finish is a lingering meditation of black tea, crushed herbs, and that distinctive Rutherford dust, leaving the palate refreshed and eager for another sip. While this wine is already delivering exceptional pleasure, its balance and concentration suggest a graceful evolution over 20 years or more. Properly cellared, it will reward patience with a kaleidoscopic unfolding of secondary and tertiary complexities.
The 2017 Heitz Trailside Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is more than a testament to one of Napa Valley’s great sites—it is a celebration of heritage, craftsmanship, and the enduring allure of classical winemaking. For those seeking an authentic, age-worthy Napa Cabernet with both soul and stature, this bottling stands as a benchmark. It is the kind of wine that defines a cellar and tells the story of a place with every sip.
Alcohol: 13.7%
93 POINTS - "Stylish, with sleek, racy mulberry and warmed cassis notes that are nicely defined, laced liberally with red tea, anise and apple wood. Shows subtle mesquite, mint and iron flashes in the background throughout. Nicely done for the vintage." - Wine Spectator
91 POINTS - "Hearty and full-bodied, this black cherry and blackberry-scented wine is braced by moderate tannins and good acidity for a sense of freshness despite its big size." - Wine Enthusiast
91 POINTS - "Hearty and full-bodied, this black cherry and blackberry-scented wine is braced by moderate tannins and good acidity for a sense of freshness despite its big size." - Wine Enthusiast
Located at the base of the Vaca mountain range along the eastern edge of Rutherford, the Trailside Vineyard captures the heart of Rutherford terroir, vinified in our classic Heitz style. The well-drained volcanic soil of this parcel allows it to convey the essence of the growing season, year after year. 2017 was a warm and concentrated growing season in Napa Valley, and we see this expressed in vibrant notes of ripe red fruit, sage, and thyme. The aromatics are all supported by firm tannins and an elegant finish. Aged for four years in our cellar followed by one year in bottle, this wine was created with your immediate enjoyment in mind and will continue to evolve over the next 20+ years.