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
Gonzalez Byass Alfonso Oloroso
Alfonso is a delicious, dry Oloroso with a deep mahogany colour, warm spicy aromas and pronounced nutty flavours. A rich, smooth wine with a long, lingering finish. The perfect partner for game, light cheese and pâté.
"A very solid Oloroso with nice toasted-nut, dried-apricot and caramel aromas. Quite rich, but properly dry without the bitterness that makes many high-end Olorosos challenging. Nice length. Where are those nuts? Where is that dry-aged ham? Drink now." - 90 points, James Suckling
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
Locations CA4 California Red Wine
Geographic diversity is what Locations – CA is all about. Provided with a wide assortment of microclimates and soil profiles to exploit, it can be a winemakers dream. With a goal in mind to create a blend that showcases the best of the Golden State, we navigated the famed appellations of Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, and the Sierra Foothills for prized fruit. Once secured, we were able to apply some creativity with the blending components to ultimately settle on a wine worthy of Locations Veiled in dark ruby red, the wine bursts with a tempting perfume of red and black fruits, dried rose petals, and a peppery note which offers some lift. Dense and ripe upon first pass, it evolves into a savory compote of raspberry, kirsch, and bitter cherry balanced out with mineral and herbal notes. The finish is substantial with tangy acidity, yet buffered with polished tannins that please the palate.
Blend of Petite Sirah, Barbera, Tempranillo, Syrah, and Grenache
Barrel aged 10 months in French oak barrels.
"If you like big, rich reds with lots of dried-fruit and bark character, then this is for you. Full body. Chewy tannins. More like a dry port, but I like its historical sensibility. A blend of petite sirah, barbera, tempranillo, syrah, and grenache. Drink now." - James Suckling, 90 points
Cockburn’s Special Reserve
Cockburn’s Special Reserve was originally introduced in 1969 and created an entirely new Port category that was fundamental to the success of Port and the Douro over the following decades. Cockburn’s Special Reserve is an exceptionally fine wine selected for its richness and concentration, from the finest vineyards in the Upper Douro and matured in oak casks for five years. This longer wood ageing gives its fruity and full-bodied palate a distinctive dry finish, making it the benchmark for all Reserve Ports.
A garnet red colour. Cockburn’s Special Reserve has a youthful nose packed with rich and concentrated red fruit aromas, predominantly red cherry with hints of plum and strawberry. On the palate it's sweet, well rounded, medium length and with luscious red berry flavours leading to a distinctive peppery finish.
Special Reserve is perfect served at the end of a meal, with rich, nutty or chocolate desserts, a cheese platter or simply on its own. Although usually served at room temperature, Reserve Ports are equally delicious when served lightly chilled. It does not need to be decanted and should be consumed within four weeks of opening.
Guillaume Gonnet Le Reveur Cotes Rhone Blanc 2022
Cocchi Brut Piemonte DOC
Cocchi Brut is a sparkling wine characterized by a straw color, almost ivory, with delicate green nuances The nose is immediately very intense and enveloping, with white flowers (such as lotus and gardenia) and freshly cut fruit in the mouth it is creamy thanks to the fine and persistent perlage with notes of white peach, lychee and a hint of fresh hazelnut. A refreshing aroma of squeezed mandarin lingers on the finish.
Cocchi Brut is a versatile and modern sparkling wine suitable for any situation, to be enjoyed as an aperitif or throughout the meal.
70% Pinot Nero, 30% Chardonnay
Gonzalez Byass Leonor Palo Cortado
A beautiful Palo Cortado sherry from Gonzalez Byass. Produced from Amontillado sherry, this ages for 12 years before bottling to give a lightly sweet and nutty wine. A bright mahogany colour with golden tones. Aromas of hazelnut and bitter orange waft from the glass. Smooth on the palate, balanced texture. Excellent drunk chilled as either an aperitif or as an accompaniment to food.
"A very elegant example of this rare type of Sherry, which combines the best of Fino freshness with Oloroso richness. Long finish with delicate dried-fruit and toasted-nut character. Drink now. Aged for 12 years in cask. Drink now." - 93 points, James Suckling
Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style
The Volstead Act of 1920 which initiated Prohibition in the USA granted permits to six distillers in Kentucky to continue to bottle bourbon for medicinal purposes. Through one of these permits, Old Forester continued to be produced as medicinal whiskey on Louisville's famed Whiskey Row. It is the only bourbon continuously sold by the same company that has been available for sale before, during, and after Prohibition.
During this time, all whiskies had to be bottled at 100 Proof. With a barrel entry proof of 100, the "angel's share" would have created a 115 proof whiskey after maturation.
To pay homage to this era, Old Forester presents 1920 Prohibition Style Bourbon at 115 proof to represent the rich flavor profile this bourbon had nearly 100 years ago.
Nose : An intense medley of cherry preserves, drippy caramel, dark chocolate, thickened maple syrup and seasoned oak spiciness.
Taste : Dark caramel coats layers of malt nuttiness and sweet graham cracker all warmed by green peppercorn and coriander spice brightened with a hint of cedar.
Finish : Tart apple crispness gives way to a long smoky finish full of toasted marshmallow, chocolate and graham cracker sweetness.