Half a Century Later, Iconic Napa Valley Winery Releases Lot C-91 to Honor Founder Joe Heitz’s Legacy
Napa Valley, CA (May 7, 2021) – Heitz Cellar announces the limited release of the 2016 vintage of Lot C-91 Cabernet Sauvignon, a cuvée of exceptional quality that was made as a rare expression by the estate’s late founder, Joe Heitz, in 1969. Lot C-91 is the culmination of 50 years of tireless effort and the winery’s commitment to making a unique declaration from its heralded single vineyards. In keeping with Joe’s vision for this wine, Lot C-91 is blended exclusively from the renowned Single Vineyards of Heitz Cellar and showcases a most unique expression of the terroir of the Napa Valley. This special cuvée commemorates this year’s 60th anniversary of the winery, in tandem with the opening of Heitz Cellar’s new Tasting Salon and Hospitality Center, slated for August 1st.
Throughout the years, studying Joe’s notes and understanding the terroirs of the various parcels has allowed Heitz Cellar to now unveil Lot C-91, a historical cuvée with great depth, complexity, and aging potential.
“Being able to recreate Lot C-91 and release it on the 60th anniversary of Heitz Cellar’s inception is our tribute to Joe Heitz and all that he stood for,” says Heitz Cellar Estate Director Erik Elliott. “He truly was a pioneer in the Napa Valley, and many of us in the industry owe some of our most eye-opening wine experiences to the restraint and authenticity he showed when crafting his wines. Our winemaker Brittany Sherwood gracefully carries on this legacy with our wines today.”
The 2016 Lot C-91 is the result of mild summer temperatures and a series of warm days at the end of the growing season. The first of the fruit, always harvested at night beneath the moonlight, was picked in mid-August of 2016, while the remainder of the harvest finished in mid-October. Winemaker Brittany Sherwood was able to bring all the fruit into the winery in pristine condition, resulting in incredible elegance and complexity.
The wine is aged for nine months in large neutral oak, followed by two years in a combination of new and used French oak barriques and one year in bottle. The style of the wine requires less aging in oak and bottle compared to the winery’s single vineyard designates and provides a remarkable preservation of vibrant fruit.
2016 Lot C-91 cuvée exhibits the density and length that only the truly great wines of the world are capable of. The soft expression of red and black fruit is a result of harvesting over a period of two months. The presence of savory elements such as sage, rosemary, cured meats, and black pepper distinguish this cuvée from any other. The finish on Lot C-91 shows incredible complexity and harmony, and those who are patient, will continue to be rewarded for decades to come.
Lot C-91 is a true collector’s wine. Lot C-91’s SRP is $100 for a 750 ml bottle. This wine will be available through www.heitzcellar.com as well as at the Tasting Salon.
Additionally, Demeine Estates will represent Lot C-91 with limited distribution. The Lawrence family works closely with Demeine Estates, the sales and marketing partner for each of its estates.
Images and a bottle shot of Lot C-91 can be found HERE.
Assemblage
Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
2016 Lot C-91 Appellation Breakdown:
- 45% Rutherford AVA
- 33% Oakville AVA
- 14% Howell Mountain AVA
- 8% St. Helena AVA
About Heitz Cellar
Founded in 1961, Heitz Cellar is a true Napa Valley legend that has helped shape the history of Napa Valley winemaking. Pioneering vintner Joe Heitz established the classic style of Napa Valley with his iconic, globally-celebrated wines—including the region’s first vineyard-designated Cabernet Sauvignon, the renowned Heitz Cellar Martha’s Vineyard. In 2018, the winery entered an exciting new chapter as the Heitz family passed this rich legacy into the hands of the Lawrence family, whose deep roots in agriculture and commitment to the same core values of fine winemaking made it a perfect match. As part of the Demeine Estates portfolio and with proprietors Gaylon M. Lawrence, Jr. and Master Sommelier Carlton McCoy, Jr. at the helm, the winery will continue to offer wines in the quintessential Heitz style. Made with an unwavering commitment to quality from organically farmed, 100% Napa Valley fruit, Heitz wines represent the Lawrences’ agrarian roots and commitment to the stewardship of Napa Valley. For more information on Heitz Cellar, please visit www.heitzcellar.com.
