It’s no surprise that winemaker Francoise Peschon was recently named Vinous Winemaker of the Year for 2021. Her efforts at Heimark since their inception and at Araujo, Cornell, Accendo and VHR-Vine Hill Ranch are even more proof that she is one of the best and has been well before last year. This third vintage of Heimark Estate Cabernet is their best wine yet. Comprised of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2018 vintage has yielded a wine that is at once “incredibly concentrated and dense yet weightless and almost ethereal. The mouthfeel is generous yet firm with mineral notes of volcanic rock and fresh mineral lift. Flavors of dark, brooding fruits together with notes of black licorice, myrtle and sandalwood spice add intrigue and complexity to this wine.” This is just the kind of new winery we love partnering with when it comes to great Cabernet Sauvignon because while the winery is new, the Heimarks have been growing Cabernet Sauvignon from their estate vineyard for over 20 years, selling fruit to a few select wineries that have become some of the best wines from Napa Valley. Wines made primarily from their grapes have received multiple 100-point ratings. This grower vineyard began in 1997, when the vineyard development was placed in the highly skilled hands of vineyard manager Michael Wolf (of VHR, Scarecrow fame), viticulturist Mary Hall Maher (Etude and Harlan Estate) and winemaker Tony Soter (Soter Vineyards). Fourteen acres were identified for Cabernet Sauvignon and one acre for Petit Verdot. 474 cases were produced. 97 Points, Vinous.