Self Isolation : Day # 12

2014 Heitz Cellars Grignolino

Where to begin with this one? For starters, it is my absolute favorite bottling coming out of Napa today. Not only because it’s downright tasty, but because of what it represents. Before Cabernet was King in Napa, plantings were dominated by Zinfandel, Petit Sirah, and a smattering of Italian and French grapes. After Cabernet Sauvignon became the starlet of Napa Valley marketers post 1976’s Judgement of Paris most of these older plantings were ripped out in favor of Cabernet. I love that Heitz Cellar, a winery globally renowned for its Cabernet, chose to leave this little slice of the valley alone as it represents the vastly misunderstood history of Napa Valley.

The first vineyard purchased by the Heitz family back in 1961 was a small one, planted mostly to the northern Italian grape Grignolino, just south of St. Helena. Today Heitz is known around the world for its Bordeaux-beating Cabernets (many claim this, few achieve it), especially the single-vineyard bottlings from Martha’s Vineyard. However it was Grignolino that started it all and the winery still cultivates those original vines today. With the recent sale of Heitz to an investment group it remains to be seen what will happen to the old Grignolino vines…

Translucent ruby in the glass, it’s not shy to say the least with elegant aromas of brambly berries, red fruit and aromatic herbs accented by hints of rose petal. There is a candied strawberry-rosemary-basil aspect to this wine which I absolutely love. Light bodied but not lacking in flavor, it’s vibrant on the palate with notes of fresh red berries and those same aromatic herbs that are supported by gentle tannins and mouthwatering acidity.

Where else are you going to find a red wine this drinkable and loveable in Napa for $20?