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 2018
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).
Nose: The 2018 Lot No. 1 vintage showcases enticing aromas of wild blackberries, cocoa and toasted oak supported by notes of brown spice and humidor.
Palate: The rich, plush palate boasts flavors of shaved chocolate and reduced blackberry compote with hints of cinnamon. The long finish reveals classic oak character and plush tannins.
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
"This has a frankly toasty note overlaying rich cassis, plum and boysenberry compote flavors, while licorice root, loam and roasted mesquite notes fill in on the finish. Not shy in the muscular approach. For fans of the style. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 2,149 cases made." - 94 points, James Molesworth, Senior Editor and Special Projects Director at Wine Spectator
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