The Trailside Vineyard rests on a gentle lower slope of the eastern Rutherford Bench and is comprised of a diverse patchwork representing almost all soils found in the Napa Valley. It has been the grape source for some of the most storied wines produced in Napa Valley. We are honored to now be the sole proprietor of this historically renowned vineyard.
The 2014 Vintage is remembered by a dry and cool growing season. Our fruit expressed complexity early on in the season which helped capture the essence of the Heitz style of winemaking. Harvest produced an outstanding amount of well-balanced fruit that boasted a superb depth of flavor in our wines that shine through now and will continue to develop for decades to come.
The Palate of the 2014 Trailside vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon expresses the savory winter herbs of English Thyme and Bay Laurel that Trailside has become synonymous with. The long cool growing season created a structure of bright fresh acidity and a certain lift in the wines that we aspire to achieve each year.
- Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
- Appellation: Rutherford
- Aging: 4 years in the cellar aging in French oak vessels both old and new, ranging from 225L to 12,000L. Followed by 2 years in bottle.
From a Rutherford site, this 100% varietal, estate wine is aged similarly to the producer’s fine Martha’s Vineyard bottling, given plenty of time in new and neutral oak as well as in bottle. Beguiling spice and a warmth of red fruit provide tangy freshness around lengthy layers of salty oak, iron and baked plum. - Wine Enthusiast Magazine 96 points
