Heritance has been described as the cornerstone Napa Valley brand of the Taub Family Vineyards but its history goes back further than when the Taub Family bought them. The name Heritance was derived from combining the words ‘heritage’ and ‘inheritance’- two important concepts signifying a new tradition and the continuation of an enduring legacy championed by Bernard Portet and Don Chase. Bernard’s history in the wine business started at his father’s side who was a technical director at Chateau Lafite Rothschild. In 1970 he was assigned the task of sourcing premium vineyard sites in Napa to grow Cabernet.
His first project in 1972 was the placement of the Clos du Val vineyard and founding winemaker with his first vintage Cabernet was one of six selected for the now famous Paris Tasting of 1976. After his ‘retirement’ he started sourcing grapes from some of the best wineries in Napa for Polaris wines producing two wines Heritance focusing on the best Napa had to offer and Nandu focusing on the best Malbec Argentina had to offer.
In steps the Taub Family with Napa history dating back to late Prohibition days and transforms this project into Heritance wines focusing on two varietals and just four wines: three Cabernet’s and a Sauvignon Blanc. Now there are three new single vineyard Cabernets that have been added with stunning results.
Thomas Hinde was appointed the winemaker who cut his teeth with Yao Ming Wines, Cardinale and Lokoya wineries and a stint with Flowers Winery in Sonoma- all impressive stuff and an excellent pedigree for producing some of the finest wines out of Napa and upholding the tradition of restraint and elegance regardless of price point.
The winery utilizes some of the best grapes from the best sites in St. Helena, Yountville, Oakville and Rutherford, and more specifically from the ultra-impressive Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard. Darren came onboard as assistant winemaker in 2017.
All this is great information and gives you some insight into the wines but tasting them is the best and only real test!
Heritance Napa Cabernet 2016
This is a really impressive Cabernet and given it retails around forty dollars mark makes it even more impressive. This ‘entry level’ Cabernet has everything you would expect from a totally enjoyable Napa Cabernet- enticing nose of violets and dark fruits with a delightful soft mouthfeel. Loads of blackberries, plum and chocolate combine to impress and a great introduction to Heritance wines without breaking the bank.
This needs a little cellar time or decanter time for those who want to drink one immediately to gauge potential and believe me, this has some aging potential of somewhere around 8 – 10 years. As with all their wines, your patience will be rewarded!
Heritance Rutherford Cabernet 2016
First thing I noticed is a ‘rebranding’ of sorts with the Taub Family Vineyards name replacing Heritance on the label. Good news is the wine hasn’t changed and is still impressive Rutherford with excellent depth and complexity. Give this wine a little time and the nose will unfold and reveal violet and cassis and chocolate. The palate is really where this wine begins to impress in earnest. Almost seamless layers of dark fruits, cherries, chocolate and of course the ‘Rutherford dust’. If this is any indication of their 2016 wine’s I can’t wait for the Beckstoffer Georges III offering to be released in the coming weeks- see below.
Howell Mountain Napa Cabernet 2018
The grapes are sourced from the Rahn vineyard — a high-altitude mountain vineyard at 1400′ with deep, well-drained, porous, gravelly volcanic soils. Grapes are picked, de-stemmed and sorted by hand with the utmost care, and aged for 22 months in 75% new French oak.
High elevation fruit produces elegant restrained wines with delightful perfumed noses and this is a wonderful example of what happens when everything falls into place. Nose is impressive with violets, black cherries, cigar box and cooking herbs, all working together to entice you to take a sip. The palate is rich and seductive with blueberries and blackberries fighting it out for domination with cherries, herbs, mint and just a hint of chocolate rounding things out on a long impressive palate.
Mount Veeder Napa Cabernet 2019
Grapes are sourced from the Henry Vineyard and picked, de-stemmed and sorted by hand with the utmost care, and aged for 22 months in 80% new French oak.
One sniff of this wine and you know your in for something special. Loads of dark fruits, cherries, floral notes and an interesting bramble note rounds out this enticing nose. The palate is restrained and elegant with amazing concentration and balance immediately evident. Ripe dark cherries and blackberries dominate with secondary layers of plum, mocha, spices and a sweet toffee/caramel note. An impressive assembly of flavors that unfolds to a crescendo on a long finish. Make no mistake, this is a big rich wine that is an absolute to drink.
Between the two single vineyard releases, both are equally impressive but the think the Mount Veeder wins by a nose.
Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyards Cabernet 2017.
This new 100% Cabernet release is sourced from the Beckstoffer Missouri Hopper Vineyards, located north of the town of Yountville in the Oakville AVA and was originally part of a larger estate owned by George C. Yount, from which the town takes its name. It was purchased by Charles Hopper and gifted to his daughter Missouri in 1877 who planted vineyards and ‘other fruits’. Fast forward to today.
Taub Family Wines under the guidance of their two winemakers Tom and Darren have access to some of the best, I repeat, the best vineyards in the valley and produce wines of distinction, finesse and balance with depth and complexity one would expect from wines at twice the price.
First of all, what an awesome addition to the lineup! This wine is rich and decadent with a truck load of appeal. The nose is enticing showcasing dark fruits, plums, sweet tobacco and spices but it’s the palate that exceeds expectation. One sip and you’ll be impressed by the completeness of this wine. Silky smooth with big bold dark red fruits, black current and plum with secondary notes of dark chocolate and herbs, all delivered with restraint and elegance. Everything in its place and balance to boot with a long finish. An absolute delight to drink. Will cellar out to 2035. Pair with your favorite red meat dishes, just make the choice worthy of this impressive wine- This really is an amazing wine!
Beckstoffer Georges III Napa Cabernet 2016
If any of you know me, you’ll know I love this wine and is one of my all-time favorite Napa Cabernet’s. You will also know that they make tiny amounts, some vintages as low as 56 six-packs. I’ve been fortunate to have tasted the last 5 vintages and all have been amazing.
Grapes sourced from Beckstoffer Georges III only partially explains why this is such an impressive Cabernet. Of course, Rutherford appellation adds another layer of insight. All of this is great but the depth and complexity of this wine is very impressive. From the seductive nose, that transports you to some far-off land with a promise of everything great, to the silky-smooth palate this is a spectacular wine.
Flavor profile is almost seamless making it a challenge in identifying the blueberries, raspberries and dark cherries that cradles a core of plum and chocolate with a sweet, almost raisin note on the finish. The traditional Rutherford dust didn’t become evident till after the second sip. Difficult not to have a smile on my face and yes, it’s as good as you think it is!
This will cellar out to 2030 without a problem and most probably beyond.
Vine to Table 