Back in 1969, when his Heitz Cellar was in business for a mere eight years, Joe Heitz made a wine he called Lot C-91. It was an assemblage of cabernet sauvignon fruit from several of the property’s Napa Valley single vineyards. Mr. Heitz died in 2000, never having made the wine again. But Brittany Sherwood, now the winemaker, used Mr. Heitz’s notes and a few existing bottles of the original wine for guidance on replicating the wine. The new Lot C-91 from the 2016 vintage is a sleek blend of cabernet sauvignons from the Rutherford, Oakville, Howell Mountain and St. Helena districts. It’s a youngster that’s pleasing to drink now for its bright, well-integrated fruit, minerality and hint of spice. But it certainly deserves to be cellared for years to reach its full potential. The wine is being released to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Heitz Cellar, which is now owned by Gaylon Lawrence Jr. and his family; Carlton McCoy Jr is a managing partner.
2016 Heitz Cellar Lot C-91, $100, heitzcellar.com.
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