Description
Louis M Martini is one of the oldest vineyards in Napa, with it's roots going all the way back to 1906, when the Martini Wine Company was founded. The young Louis learned his trade in the great vineyards of northern Italy, sent back by his father to learnj the trade. Then in Napa, they planted their first vineyards in 1933, and built their own winery in St Helena. By 1943 they were prominent enough to be a founder of the Louis M. helps to establish the Napa Valley Vintners Association, despite that their already-noted Monte Rosso Vineyard lay outside of Napa!
Since then they have grown, sponsoring and planting superb high-altitude vineyards across Napa and Sonoma. Now owned by Gallo, they have become one of the mainstays of their super-highend portfolio, specialising in big, robust Cabernets. With some fearsomely collectible productions and vintages in their portfolio, it's a joy to see a brand which also produces wine which is delicious at all price-points.
"Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2018 Cabernet Franc Monte Rosso Vineyard features notes of black raspberries, redcurrant jelly and wild blueberries with touches of pencil shavings, dried herbs, underbrush and garrigue. Full-bodied, the palate is laden with muscular black, red and blue fruits, framed by rock-solid, grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing long with an herbal lift. 539 cases were made." 92 Points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate 2021-2032