Description
“The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is a grand, dramatic wine. Inky, deep and outrageously beautiful, the 2018 dazzles from the very first taste. Dark cherry, chocolate, licorice and spice all build in the glass. Firm tannins need time to come together, but there is an inner sweetness to the 2018. More than anything else what stands out is the wine’s stature. All I can say is wow!” – 97 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous – RECENTLY UPGRADED TO 98 POINTS by Antonio Galloni
As Philippe Melka has stated, “Heimark is like the Pauillac of Napa Valley, with lots of sophisticated tannins!”
I don’t usually espouse 100% new French oak, because most Cabernet Sauvignon with the exception of 1er Growth Grand Cru Bordeaux, don’t have the “fortitude”, or are not capable of absorbing and sufficiently integrating the tannins without resulting in an “overly oaked” dominated wine.
What is so exciting?
- The Vineyard – located at about 1100’ in the eastern hills of Calistoga. In 1997, the vineyard development was lead by vineyard manager Michael Wolf, viticulturist Mary Hall Maher (Etude and Harlan Estate) and winemaker Tony Soter (Soter Vineyards). Michael Wolf continues to manage the vineyard. He came to Napa Valley in 1981, and in 1997 he founded Michael Wolf Vineyard Services. Michael has spent his life planting and nurturing Napa Valley’s finest vineyards such as To Kalon, Scarecrow, Vine Hill Ranch, among many others. Michael has been the vineyard manager at Heimark Vineyard since its original planting in 1997 and has been involved in every phase of the site’s development. He serves on the board of the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation, which promotes education and professional development for vineyard workers.
The Winemaker – is Francoise Peschon. Francoise studied enology (winemaking) at the University of California, Davis and completed an apprenticeship at Château Haut-Brion in France. Winemaker at the fabled Araujo Estate (Eisele Vineyard) for 14 years, currently winemaker at VHR – Vine Hill Ranch and Drinkward Peschon and part of the Accendo winemaking team, in addition to Heimark Vineyard.
Critical Acclaim & Pedigree – As grape growers for over 20 years, Heimark fruit has featured prominently in award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon from Lail Vineyards J Daniel Cuvee, Lewis Cellars, Etude Wines, Moone-Tsai, Arkenstone, Soter Vineyards, Araujo Estate Wines, and Dakota Shy Wine.
The Grapes – Of the 14 acres planted, about 13 are dedicated to Cabernet Sauvignon. The rest is split between Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Rocky, volcanic, and fractured, this challenging environment cultivates resilient, deeply rooted vines. The struggle that the vines endure in this terrain results in grapes of lustrous quality and intense flavors. The fruit is infused with hints of blackberry, black cherries, boysenberry, plums, cloves, and wild herbs. These singular grapes make for spirited, well-balanced red wines with great energy, natural lift, and a lengthy finish.
Mission – Sustainability – Sustainability at Heimark Vineyard, paramount attention to detail and to the pursuit of excellence is embedded in every stage of the farming and winemaking. Only sustainable farming techniques are practiced to ultimately coax the pure expression of the terroir. Philanthropy! Heimark Vineyard is a family-run venture and has been passionate for more than thirty years to donate towards promoting educational projects in Kenya, India, Ghana, Nicaragua, and across the United States. Consistent with these values, some of the proceeds from Heimark Vineyard are reinvested in the education of Napa Valley farmworkers.