Louis M. Martini Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2013: Inky dark purple color; ripe black cherry, plum on the nose; blackcurrant tang, plum, black cherry, mocha,
oak, smoke, spice; rich, jammy, full in the mouth, round, robust; splashes of merlot and petite sirah contribute some complexity; extra dry, concentrated fruit, significant tannin, easy acidity (3.7 pH) adds silky element. Once again Louis M. Martini over-delivers a big-boy Sonoma cab for nice price. Those intimidated by big, bold, cabs with some puckering, chewy tannin and mouthfeel should pass on this, allowing the rest of us to enjoy more of it. Founded in 1933, Louis M. Martini now is led by third-generation vintner Mike Martini. Martini’s grape legacy goes back to 1911, when Louis M. made wine in a rented facility. During Prohibition, Louis M. produced sacramental and medicinal wine, as well as grape concentrate for legal in-home winemaking. The L.M. Martini Grape Products Company came to Napa in 1933 as one of the original five Napa post-Prohibition wineries. Martini added acreage in Sonoma’s Mayacama Mountains in 1938. The Martini family owned and innovated until 2002, when the Gallo family purchased the winery and vineyards, but kept Martini personnel, including Mike, in the mix. The result is range of superb wines rooted in two iconic Italian family traditions. $20
Martini family members, second photo.
