|
100 Point Rating Guide | ||
|---|---|---|
| 96-100 | Extraordinary | A wine of finesse, complexity, and expression. True to variety and region. Perfect balance of flavors with a long finish. |
| 90-95 | Excellent | True to variety and region, with terrific complexity and balance. While not a wine for the ages, a superior example. |
| 85-89 | Good | Meets your expectations, with sound flavors and balance. Might have limited complexity or be short on the palate. A sound wine. |
| 80-84 | Average | Drinkable, might not have as much varietal character. Simple flavors, no flaws, but nothing special. |
| 75-79 | Below Average | Might contain one flaw, simple straight-forward flavors, off-balance, unpleasant. |
| 60-74 | Undrinkable, Flawed | Contains significant flaws. Unpleasant, not commercially acceptable. |
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2 User Reviews
Jan 25, 2009
Anyone who thinks Napa Valley failed to produce any excellent Cabernet Sauvignon in the 1998 vintage hasn't had this wine. True to form, the 1998 Martha's is a superstar, easily on par with other bottlings from this excellent vineyard and a credit to the Heitz family that first discovered it and later developed it into it's full potential. As proimissed in previous years the 1998 satisfies on all levels with dark black cherry fruit, sticky chewy chocolate and hints of fresh crushed mint. You can't beat this with a steak. Anyone who was smart enough to buy some on release, or beg a few bottles out of Jeanie Cabral -- the immensely dedicated and talented marketer who manages the Heitz's library wines, should dust one of these off and enjoy it.
Jan 25, 2009
One of Napa's singular greats a wine with a distinctive, charismatic, and consistent personality all it's own. Ripe and rich in aromatics of black cherries, cassis, mocha, chocolate and fresh crushed mint (the sort that grows in my backyard that I make mint julips with, not to be confused with the eucalyptus or menthol type which is commonly found in faulty, lesser bottlings). I held this sample under observation for several hours and it continued to grow and evolve. My initial rating was 95 point's but considering how complex it became upon further aeration, I'm giving it a whopping 96. If you can still obtain any of this wine on the open market I'd highly recommend you buy this whenever you have the opportunity.
