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Robert Parker Wine Advocate
1985 Heitz Cellar Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon – Napa Valley’s Timeless Classic
The 1985 Heitz Cellar Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon represents a golden era of Napa Valley winemaking. This vintage captures the legacy of one of California’s most historic single vineyards, nestled in Oakville, and known for its distinctive mint and eucalyptus signature. Aged to perfection, this bottle offers a glimpse into the refinement and longevity that have defined Heitz Cellar for more than half a century.
Tasting Notes
The 1985 vintage opens with remarkable aromatic complexity—mint, bay leaf, and cedar intertwine with layers of blackcurrant, tobacco leaf, and subtle earthy spice. The palate remains vibrant and beautifully balanced, showing mature tertiary notes of dried fig, graphite, and cocoa powder supported by fine, resolved tannins and a lingering, graceful finish.
Winemaking & Vineyard Details
Produced from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grown in the renowned Martha’s Vineyard in Oakville, this wine was fermented in stainless steel and aged for three years in large French oak casks, followed by additional bottle aging prior to release. The vineyard’s alluvial soils and cool microclimate produce the hallmark freshness and minty elegance that have made this site legendary among Napa Valley wines.
Investment & Collectibility
The 1985 Heitz Cellar Martha’s Vineyard is a rare opportunity to experience a fully mature Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon at its peak. Coveted by collectors for its provenance, longevity, and unmistakable signature, this vintage continues to command admiration in fine wine circles. Perfect for your collection or to crown a vertical of Heitz Cellar wines.
Vintage Insights
The 1985 vintage in Napa Valley was one of the decade’s finest—marked by even ripening and ideal harvest conditions. Wines from this year are celebrated for their precision, balance, and enduring structure, and the Martha’s Vineyard bottling is among the best examples of long-lived California Cabernet.









