Louis M. Martini
An iconic Napa Valley winery with a Legacy of crafting world-class Cabernet Sauvignon since 1933. Pioneering founder Louis M. Martini played an integral role in establishing Napa Valley as one of the world’s premier winegrowing regions. Today, the winery continues this winemaking tradition with a range of celebrated Cabernet Sauvignon wines.
One of the original five Napa Valley wineries founded after prohibition. Louis M. Martini is located on historic Highway 29 since 1933, a winery in the heart of California’s best Cabernet. When he first settled in Napa Valley, Louis M. Martini sought to source from the most coveted vineyards in the region. With the 1938 purchase of the Goldstein Ranch in the Mayacamas Mountains, he embarked on a new chapter in advanced viticulture and vineyard-driven winemaking. The vineyard, renamed Monte Rosso for its red volcanic soils, has since become the emblematic source of some of our most sought-after releases.
Today, Louis M. Martini continues to source the best grapes possible from Napa Valley and beyond. With 80 years of winemaking experience, Louis M. Martini Cabernets have received over 125, 90+ point scores over the past two decades. Today, Winemaker Michael Eddy continues this legacy with new award-winning Cabernets every year.
Louis M. Martini Lot 1 2017
Lot No. 1 is something of a mosaic of iconic appellations and vineyards an assemblage of Napa Valley’s best mountain, benchland and valley floor fruit. The 2017 vintage is comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon from Atlas Peak, Howell Mountain, Stags Leap, Mount Veeder and other stellar sites throughout Napa Valley AVA. From a growing perspective in 2017, ample winter rains fueled vine growth early in the season followed by steady warmth in the summer and fall, leading to a slightly early harvest with ripe, fruit driven intensity.
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
"A soft, juicy red with licorice and aniseed undertones to the blueberries and sage. Candy. Medium to full body with agility and elegance. Drinkable now, but better in 2022." - 95 points, James Suckling
"A rich, lush style, with creamed plum, blueberry and warmed blackberry compote flavors gliding along, laced with cocoa and warm earth notes. A black licorice note drapes over the fruit on the finish, and there's a violet note hanging in the background. Large-scaled and well-defined. Best from 2022 through 2035. 1,272 cases made." - 94 points, Wine Spectator
Louis M. Martini Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
The 2019 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a full-bodied wine grown along the meandering Russian River. Pronounced aromas of brambleberry, crushed dried herbs and violet rise from the glass. The palate delivers notes of graham cracker pie crust and black plum with undercurrents of dried sage and leather. This wine lands firmly on the rustic side of Cabernet with dusty tannins and a long earthy finish.
Grapes were picked early in the morning to preserve maximum flavor enroute to the winery. All lots were aged and evaluated separately, allowing us to craft a harmonious wine before marrying the final blend in barrel to finish aging. In total, the wine spent 17 months in a combination of French and American oak (29% new).
Varietal: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petite Sirah
Louis M. Martini Lot 1 2019
Winemaker Notes
Our concept of small-lot winemaking dates back to 1948 when Louis M. Martini began ranking his most exceptional Cabernet lots to use for a special selection blend. We honor this attention to detail with every vintage we make, fermenting Lot No. 1 in small open-top tanks, which allow for a high level of precision when extracting color and flavor. All lots were alternately punched down and pumped over up to four times daily to build the desired foundation for the wine’s mouthfeel. Our barrel program for Lot No. 1 is also unique, with the primary component being 36-month air dried French oak. This longer drying time encourages rich tannin structure throughout the duration of the wine’s 19 months in barrel (83% new).
Notes of crème de cassis, black cherry, green olive and dried fennel root extend from the nose through to the supple, bold palate. The unctuous finish uncovers layers of oak that you would expect from a classic Napa Cabernet.
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
"Deep and concentrated blueberries, dark chocolate and espresso flavors fill out this powerful but polished wine whose firm but gentle tannins will carry it to a long life. It's the top-of-the-line Cabernet from the now Cabernet-centric 90-year-old winery. Best from 2027–2040." - 96 points, Wine Enthusiast, September 2023
Louis M. Martini Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Our 2018 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a layered wine with notes of black cherry, blackberry and plum are complemented by hits of toasted oak, dried currant and baking spice. Fine grained tannins and ample brightness on the palate give way to a polished mouthfeel and exceptionally long finish.
Upon arrival at the winery, the grapes were carefully destemmed and transferred to upright tanks for a two-day cold soak. To build its round, elegant mouthfeel, the wine saw 15 to 20 days of maceration time and was pumped over two to three times daily. Each lot was aged and meticulously evaluated separately, with the final blend taking place in May 2019. In total, the wine aged for 16 months in a combination of French and American oak barrels (40% new).
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
"A slightly high-toned red with walnut, berry, chocolate and spice on the nose and palate. Medium-to full-bodied with chewy tannins and a rich finish. A little firmer and tighter than in the past, which equates to a more serious red. A touch of petit sirah in this. Drink or hold." - 93 points, James Suckling
![[Bundle of 3] Louis M. Martini Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018](https://maltwineasia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Bundle-of-3-Louis-M.-Martini-Napa-Valley-Cabernet-Sauvignon-2018-430x430.jpg)
[Bundle of 3] Louis M. Martini Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Our 2018 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a layered wine with notes of black cherry, blackberry and plum are complemented by hits of toasted oak, dried currant and baking spice. Fine grained tannins and ample brightness on the palate give way to a polished mouthfeel and exceptionally long finish.
Upon arrival at the winery, the grapes were carefully destemmed and transferred to upright tanks for a two-day cold soak. To build its round, elegant mouthfeel, the wine saw 15 to 20 days of maceration time and was pumped over two to three times daily. Each lot was aged and meticulously evaluated separately, with the final blend taking place in May 2019. In total, the wine aged for 16 months in a combination of French and American oak barrels (40% new).
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
"A slightly high-toned red with walnut, berry, chocolate and spice on the nose and palate. Medium-to full-bodied with chewy tannins and a rich finish. A little firmer and tighter than in the past, which equates to a more serious red. A touch of petit sirah in this. Drink or hold." - 93 points, James Suckling
Louis M. Martini Lot 1 2013
A perfect wine, that seems to have gone from one strength to another since I first tasted it, the 100% Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Lot 1 is absolutely amazing wine. It was aged 21 months in 87% new French oak, finished at 15.3% alcohol and was another abundant vintage, as this lot produced 850 cases, which is even more than 2012 and slightly less than 2003 and 2014. The wine has an inky purple color, a gorgeous nose of graphite, blueberry liqueur intermixed with cassis, blackberry, espresso roast, chocolate and graphite. Dense and incredibly intense with good acidity (slightly lower pH than the 2012, reflected in the character of the wine), fabulous purity and a finish that goes on for close to 50+ seconds. This could well turn out to be the greatest wine ever made at the Louis Martini Winery and that is saying something. It has at least 30-50+ years of aging potential and is clearly a compelling effort from this historic and iconic winery in Napa.
PRATI by Louis M. Martini Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Our 2021 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon is an elegant expression of Dry Creek and Alexander Valley. The lively nose boasts aromas of blackberry, plum, and black cherry with hints of vanilla. Layers of blackberry jam, black cherry and toasted vanilla on the palate are complimented by soft notes of cedar. Beautifully balanced, this wine offers an acidic structure that holds up nicely to the abundant fruit.
Varietals: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petite Sirah, 8% Other Red Varieties
[Bundle of 3] Louis M. Martini Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Our 2018 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon showcases ripe note of blackberry, blueberry and red plum. Accompanying with hints of cocoa and oak. They are perfect pair with strong and firm cheese such as asiago, Cheddar, Smoked Gouda and even pungent cheese like blue cheese and Gorgonzola. They can also be paired with Steak, Lamb and Venison.
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
"Dark plums, black cherries, grilled herbs and smoke on the nose. It’s full-bodied with firm, sleek tannins. Supple and juicy with fresh acidity. Savory, flavorful finish. Drink or hold." - 92 points, James Suckling
Louis M. Martini Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Our 2018 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon showcases ripe note of blackberry, blueberry and red plum. Accompanying with hints of cocoa and oak. They are perfect pair with strong and firm cheese such as asiago, Cheddar, Smoked Gouda and even pungent cheese like blue cheese and Gorgonzola. They can also be paired with Steak, Lamb and Venison.
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
"Dark plums, black cherries, grilled herbs and smoke on the nose. It’s full-bodied with firm, sleek tannins. Supple and juicy with fresh acidity. Savory, flavorful finish. Drink or hold." - 92 points, James Suckling
Louis M. Martini Monte Rosso Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
Our Monte Rosso Cabernet Sauvignon was handcrafted from grapes 100 percent from the legendary Monte Rosso Vineyard. This impressive, fullbodied red wine has great depth and a surprisingly soft mouthfeel for such concentrated fruit. The wine swirls with aromas that include black cherry, earth and the classic Monte Rosso spice. On the palate, it offers red and dark fruit flavors including raspberry and blackberry, plus black fig and hints of dusty chocolate and espresso. Aging in French and American Oak created assertive-but-smooth tannins that melt seaMLessly into a lingering, elegant finish filled with flavors of anise, toasted oak and vanilla.
Varietal : 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
"High-toned and rich cabernet with lots of dark-berry, chocolate and vanilla character. Iron, too. Full-bodied, dense and layered. A little old-school, but lots of richness at the end." - 93 points, James Suckling
Louis M. Martini Monte Rosso Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Our 2018 Monte Rosso Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is a slice of history in a glass. We gathered the fruit from a selection of our favorite blocks in our historic Monte Rosso Vineyard, including the oldest Cabernet Sauvignon block in California. The nose fills with Monte Rosso’s signature spice and sweet wood aromatics and a thread of smoky ancho. Notes of ripe cherry, black currant and warm plum compote fill the palate. Underlying hints of sarsaparilla and caramelized oak lead to a long, earthy finish with a touch of wet clay.
Varietal : 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
"Ripe, focused and nicely structured, this full-bodied wine wraps delicious, tangy red cherries and plump black cherries in rather firm tannins, keeping them fresh for longer aging. The wine's oak spices are subtle and well integrated with the concentrated fruit flavors. This wine will drink best from 2028 through 2040. Jim Gordon" - Wine Enthusiast
