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.

Depth, power and complexity are the hallmarks of our impressive Lot 1 Cabernet Sauvignon.  These qualities burst from the aroma that is filled with intense notes of dark chocolate layered over inky dark berry compote. The wine hits the palate with striking power and breadth from massive tannins balanced with savory, sweet fruit flavors that include blackberry, blueberry liquor, and black currant. The finish maintains depth and adds even more polish, evolving and delighting with its remarkable length. The generous, plush mouthfeel, tannins and exceptional balance of power and elegance will allow the wine to age for decades.

Our curated Secret Cellar Collection 3 pack features a small lot and library wines. These are varietals you’d normally have to go to the tasting room to sample.

Thomann Station Vineyard benefits from the warmth of the St. Helena sun, yielding ripe, round flavors. Ideal for growing Petite Sirah, the grapes thrive in the deep, gravelly loam soils of the Napa Valley floor. The 2018 growing season began with plentiful winter rains that gave to a consistently warm and steady that eased into a mild fall, resulting in a slightly later harvest that delivered beautifully developed fruit with marked complexity. Because this fruit is literally in our backyard, it was delivered by tractor and immediately hand-sorted and destemmed. A three-day cold soak allowed for gentle extraction of flavor and color. We then used a careful combination of punch-downs and rack-and-returns during fermentation, which helped to tame the varietal’s burly tannins and build a balanced, beautifully finessed Petite Sirah. Total aging was 15 months in a combination of French and American oak, the latter imparting a sweet bacon spice note to this remarkably rich wine (74% new oak, 48% French, 26% American).

The Monte Rosso Vineyard rolls across steep, rugged terrain in the majestic Mayacamas Mountains nearly 1,300 feet above the Sonoma Valley. Owned by the Louis M. Martini Winery since 1938, it is named for its rich, red volcanic soils and has produced award-winning wines for three generations. The vineyard’s mix of high altitude, position above the fog line, low-yielding vines and ideal western exposure produces wines with a unique sense of terroir. Monte Rosso is one of California’s most prized locations for wine grapes. <br><br> Select Cabernet Sauvignon blocks were carefully hand harvested and hand sorted, then gravity fed into small, open top fermenters for cold soak of up to five days. After fermentation, the wine was racked by gravity into oak barrels for malolactic fermentation and aging. The blocks were aged separately for months before the final blend was assembled and sent back to barrel for more aging. The wine was barrel aged for 26 months in a combination of French oak barrels, 75% new, and American oak barrels, 19% new. <br><br> The 2016 growing season on Monte Rosso’s mountaintop was another in a string of warm, dry and steady seasons with no weather events impacting quality or yield. Consistently moderate temperatures throughout the spring and summer allowed grapes to ripen fully and evenly, leading to near-ideal harvest conditions. This allowed us to pick every block at optimum ripeness, resulting in concentrated fruit of particularly high quality, rich flavors and layers of complexity.

The 2018 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has notes of 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. <br><br> <b>Vinicultural Notes</b><br> Grapes for this wine were handpicked from several of our premium Napa Valley vineyards, including William Hill, Sun Lake, Cypress Ranch, Sage Canyon and other select growers. The 2018 vintage began, like 2017, with plentiful winter rains. A consistently warm and steady summer eased into a mild fall, resulting in a slightly later harvest that delivered beautifully developed fruit with marked complexity. <br><br> <b>Winemaker Notes</b><br> 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).

Our 2018 Gnarly Vine Zinfandel is a powerhouse wine that retains a sense of elegance and polish. Aromas and flavors of baked raspberries, Bing cherry, and mulberries are balanced by notes of cracked peppercorn, vanilla bean and the historic vineyard’s hallmark overtones of spice and dusty earth. Rich and concentrated, this wine showcases a vibrant line of acidity that follows through in the long, silky finish. <br><br> Our Gnarly Vine Zinfandel grapes were picked and sorted by hand at our Micro Winery. They were then gravity fed into small, open top tanks for a three-day cold soak before primary fermentation. The wine was aged in a combination of French oak barrels (47% new) and American oak barrels (21% new) for a total of 16 months. <br><br> This wine is 100% Zinfandel from our revered Monte Rosso Vineyard. Though yields are small, about 1.5 to 3 tons per acre, old gnarled vines produce exceptional fruit with deep concentration. In 2018, bountiful winter rain delayed bud break and flowering. We had an ideal summer with generously sun filled days and cooler marine influenced nights, virtually uninterrupted by major heat spikes. The mild weather continued late into fall creating a very long growing season which allowed excellent flavor development and expression.

This small-lot Cabernet Franc showcases the variety’s signature qualities through the lens of the Monte Rosso Vineyard, where just two blocks of Cabernet Franc are planted. The 2017 vintage features flourishes of ripe red cherry, cranberry and raspberry with tilled earth undertones and subtle hints of orange zest. The finely textured finish rings with acidity, making this wine a versatile food-pairing partner – complex and balanced. <br><br> Our Cabernet Franc was harvested by hand in the cool early morning hours. At the winery, the grapes were hand-sorted, destemmed and crushed in a gentle basket press. They were then gravity-fed to tank for a three-day cold soak to extract flavor and color. Fermentation occurred in small open-top vessels, which allow for highly precise handling of the grapes throughout the entire process. Total aging was 15 months in French oak barrels (52% new), adding touches of cedar and toast to a fresh, layered finish. <br><br> Monte Rosso’s Cabernet Franc vines are an average age of 25 years and sit above the fog line, receiving the ideal combination of sunlight and cool breezes to build layered, complex flavors. In 2017, ample winter rains fueled vine growth early in the season – a warm, steady summer and fall followed, leading to a slightly early harvest with intensely fruit-driven yields.

One of California’s most prized locations for wine grapes, Monte Rosso Vineyard rolls across steep, rugged terrain in the majestic Mayacamas Mountains nearly 1,300 feet above the Sonoma Valley. Owned by the Louis M. Martini Winery since 1938, it is named for its rich, red volcanic soils and has produced award-winning wines for over three generations. The vineyard’s mix of high altitude, position above the fog, low-yielding vines and ideal western exposure produces wines with a unique sense of terroir. <br><br> The Cabernet Franc grapes were hand harvested and delivered to the winery in small bins. The grapes were sorted by hand, then destemmed and partially crushed before being gravity-fed into our small, 3.5 and 7 ton open-top tanks for a 3-day cold soak. Up to 14 days after primary fermentation, the wine was gravity racked into oak barrels for malolactic fermentation. The wine was aged 15 months in French oak barrels (60% new) and 6 months in bottle. <br><br> Sourced from the two blocks from our renowned Monte Rosso vineyard, the Cabernet Franc vines are between 33 and 22 years old and sit above the fog line, receiving the ideal combination of sunlight and cool breezes to build layered, complex flavors. In 2018, early vine growth was propelled by bountiful winter rain. A mild spring and steady summer and fall made for a slightly early harvest.

The 2014 Cabernet Franc is an elegant wine with a basket of aromas and flavors, ranging from raspberry to blueberry to rose and brown spice. The wine peaks with dark chocolate, mineral and toast. The silky texture and luscious body create a long finish and potential to age at least a decade.

The second installment of our Cellar No. 254 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon features lots selected from some of our most premier mountain vineyards balanced by a small percentage of Syrah from our celebrated Monte Rosso Vineyard. Aromas of blackberry and pomegranate intertwine with wet clay and fresh mint. Notes of lilac extend to the lively and restrained palate where tension, savory tones of minerality, and star anise all help showcase refined tannins.

Our Napa Valley Merlot pays homage to Louis P. Martini, who bottled the first varietally labeled Merlot in the United States nearly a half-century ago. Enticing aromas of cherry cola, sassafras, cardamom and sandalwood dust the nose while flavors of raspberry compote, strawberry reduction, cigar box and notes of cedar entice the palate. This rich and plush Merlot is marked by fine grained tannins and a seamless finish. Our grapes were hand-harvested starting in late September and finishing in early October and sorted at our micro-winery, Cellar No. 254. Relying on gravity for the most tender handling, fermentation then took place in small open-top tanks, allowing for precise and gentle extraction of color and flavor. The wine aged for a total of 15 months (67% new French oak). Vintage 2019 was warm and evenly paced, exceptional growing conditions that delivered high-quality fruit into the cellar. Plentiful winter rains and a cool spring delayed budbreak, leading to rains in late May. By June, a consistently warm and steady summer emerged, encouraging canopy growth and allowing fruit to ripen slowly. Vines developed clean, healthy clusters with rich, complex flavors and excellent structure. Harvest began later in the year, with cool temperatures preserving excellent acidity.

Stagecoach Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon brings the presence of nearly 1,800 feet elevation piercing through the fog and the unforgiving rocky terrain to this wine. A dense concentration of blueberry reduction and black currant from the longer ripening season rises from the glass. Notes of black mission fig and mocha dust are framed by crushed bay leaf and star anise. A buoyant, supple structure and youthful mouthfeel carries through to a lasting finish.

Our 2018 Louis M. Martini Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon is an excellent expression of the beautifully complex fruit this subregion is renowned for producing. This full-bodied Cabernet opens with aromas of blackberries, cassis and tea leaf. Notes of dark berries, black plums, dark chocolate and spice fill the palate. A rich, velvety mouthfeel and ripe tannin structure lead to a long, cocoa-dusted finish. Best decanted to enjoy now, or cellar for years to come. <br><br> <b>Viticulture Notes</b><br> The fruit for our Cabernet was grown on Howell Mountain vineyards, a prized sliver of a growing region situated well above the valley floor. Howell Mountain is known for sunny, yet cooler, days and warmer evenings than lower elevations. Cool, sunny days and fog blanketed evenings give the fruit the extended hang-time to ripen slowly and evenly. Rocky volcanic soils provide excellent drainage and make the vines work to survive. The culmination of this terroir is concentrated fruit flavors, fully ripened tannins and gorgeous color. The 2018 growing season experienced very even temperatures and normal weather patterns. The fruit came into the winery in beautiful condition. <br><br> <b>Winemaking Notes</b><br> Our grapes were hand-harvested starting in late September, finished in early October and sorted at our micro-winery, Cellar No. 254. Relying on gravity for the most tender handling, fermentation then took place in small open-top tanks, allowing for precise and gentle extraction of color and flavor. The wine aged for a total of 28 months in French oak barrels (68% new).

Our curated Secret Cellar Collection 6 pack features a small lot and library wines. These are varietals you’d normally have to go to the tasting room to sample.

Our Gnarly Vine Zinfandel grapes were picked and sorted by hand. They were then gravity fed into small, open top tanks for a two-day cold soak before primary fermentation. The wine was aged in a combination of French oak barrels (53% new) and American oak barrels (25% new) for a total of 16 months. Vibrant, juicy red raspberry pie unfurls on the palate, accented by the historic vineyard’s signature dusty earth overtones. The fruit aromas are set against a spicy backdrop of cinnamon stick and Sichuan pepper. Full-bodied and concentrated the textured mouthfeel is plush, finishing long.

Our 2019 Malbec amplifies the signature characteristics of a select single block of our historic Monte Rosso Vineyard. Classic aromas of cedarwood, black spice and dark fruit radiate from the glass before coming into focus on the palate. Layers of oak, dried ginger and juicy blackberry meet hints of cracked pepper and light vanilla across a thoroughly supple mouthfeel. The finish is long and smooth with a dash of spice offering subtle nod to Monte Rosso at the end.

Our Monte Rosso Mountain Red is an homage to the great wines of Southern France, with a California twist. This fragrant blend of Syrah, Petite Sirah, and Grenache wafts out of the glass with aromas of black raspberries and kirsch liqueur with subtle hints of Herbs de Provence and dark roast coffee.  The zesty palate includes a medley of savory flavors of dark fruit notes complemented by Monte Rosso’s signature spices. It has the vineyard’s classic frame of balanced acidity and notes of iron. The wine’s depth, mouthwatering fruit and lush mouthfeel display the extraordinary complexity that can be produced from this world-class mountain vineyard. <br><br> The grapes were harvested by hand and delivered in half-ton picking bins. The fruit was hand-sorted, destemmed and partially crushed before being gravity-fed into our open-top tanks for a 3-5-day cold soak before fermentation. Up to 10 days after primary fermentation was complete, the wine was gravity racked into oak barrels for malolactic fermentation. The wine was kept separate in individual lots, then the blend was assembled in summer 2018 and allowed to marry before bottling. In total, the wine was aged for 19 months in a mix of puncheons and new French oak barrels (78% new). <br><br> Our Mountain Red is crafted from select blocks on the legendary Monte Rosso Vineyard. Every vintage offers a distinct, vivid expression of this renowned site. In 2017, abundant winter rainfall fueled vine growth early in the season. A mild spring, followed by steady warmth in the summer and fall, led to a slightly early harvest with ripe, fruit-driven intensity.

Our inaugural Cellar No. 254 Merlot is a beautifully structured expression of the variety. Enchanting aromas of fresh blueberries, Bing cherries, and ripe red plum mingle with hints of violet and dried mint leaves as they dust the nose. These notes are echoed on the supple palate where polished tannins and flavors of boysenberry pie and raspberry, as well as subtleties of baking spice, vanilla and freshly shaved chocolate carry through the long, textured finish.

In the spirit of Cellar No. 254, to celebrate the outstanding 2018 vintage and to honor Louis M. Martini’s affinity for mountain fruit, we have created our first ever blend of Cabernet Sauvignon from some of our most coveted mountain sites. Featuring a trio of vineyards that we highlight individually as part of our Crown Cabernet Collection, we are exploring for the first time the idea of blending them together. <br><br> The 2018 vintage began, like 2017, with plentiful winter rains. A consistently warm and steady summer eased into a mild fall, resulting in a slightly later harvest that delivered beautifully developed fruit with marked complexity. <br><br> Our grapes were hand-harvested in early October and sorted at our micro-winery, Cellar No. 254. Fermentation took place in small open-top tanks, allowing for precise and gentle extraction of color and flavor. Each lot was aged in French oak barrels and evaluated individually, with the final blend occurring in June 2018. In total, the wine was aged for 19 months in barrel (56% new) and a year in bottle.

Our Monte Rosso Vineyard Malbec was hand harvested and sorted. At the winery, the grapes underwent a three day cold soak and fermented in 3.5 and 7 ton open top tanks. The wine aged for a total of 15 months in a combination of new French (61%) and American (10%) oak. In 2018, bountiful winter rain delayed bud break and flowering. We had an ideal summer with generously sun filled days and cooler marine influenced nights, virtually uninterrupted by major heat spikes. The mild weather continued late into fall creating a very long growing season which allowed excellent flavor development and expression.

Sourced from the two blocks from our renowned Monte Rosso vineyard, the Cabernet Franc vines are between 33 and 22 years old and sit above the fog line, receiving the ideal combination of sunlight and cool breezes to build layered, complex flavors. In 2019, exceptional growing conditions delivered high-quality fruit into the cellar. Plentiful winter rains and a cool spring led to a consistently warm and steady summer, allowing fruit to ripen slowly and made for a slightly later harvest. <br><br> The Cabernet Franc grapes were hand harvested and delivered to the winery in small bins. The grapes were sorted by hand, then destemmed and partially crushed before being gravity-fed into our small, 3.5 and 7 ton open-top tanks for a 3-day cold soak. Up to 14 days after primary fermentation, the wine was gravity racked into oak barrels for malolactic fermentation. The wine was aged 15 months in French oak barrels (50% new).

Our 2021 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc is tropical on the nose and medium-bodied on the palate. Aromas of passionfruit, lychee and lemongrass rise from the glass, revealing bright notes of lime, honeydew melon and oyster shell. While juicy and fresh tasting, the Sémillon adds a pleasant richness as the wine finishes mouthwatering and dry. The 2021 growing season marked a much-welcome return to ideal. Winter rains quenched the soil, setting the stage for dry weather the rest of the season. Over the summer, conditions stayed uneventful and mild, giving the grapes the luxury of hanging on the vine. Harvest began early, producing low yields of small berries with intense flavor concentration and optimal ripeness. The fruit for our Sauvignon Blanc was pressed to tank, cold settled and racked off lees for fermentation. This gentle, oxygen-free process maintains the wine’s crispness and brightness. Fermentation took place in a combination of stainless steel, oak barrel and concrete egg, which imparted a complex minerality. A small amount of new French oak was used during barrel fermentation to build richness on the palate.