 MONTE ROSSO VINEYARD
2018 Monte Rosso Vineyard Cabernet Franc
sale price $80.00
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.
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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.
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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.
2018 Monte Rosso Vineyard Malbec
sale price $75.00
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.
2018 Monte Rosso Vineyard Gnarly Vine Zinfandel
sale price $95.00
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.
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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.
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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.
2017 Monte Rosso Vineyard Gnarly Vine Zinfandel
sale price $100.00
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.
2017 Monte Rosso Vineyard Cabernet Franc
sale price $85.00
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.
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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.
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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.
2018 Monte Rosso Vineyard Mountain Red
sale price $70.00
A blend of Syrah and Grenache from this world-class mountain vineyard, our Monte Rosso Mountain Red is an homage to the great wines of Southern France, with a California twist. Aromas of boysenberry, lilac, blonde roast coffee and prosciutto are unveiled on the nose. Notes of blueberry, pomegranate and damson plum saturate the soft and plush mid palate that is framed by crunchy, gravely tannins.
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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 2019 and allowed to marry before bottling. In total, the wine was aged for 19 months in a mix of puncheons and French oak barrels (50% new).
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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. 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...
2016 Monte Rosso Vineyard Cabernet Franc
sale price $90.00
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.
2017 Monte Rosso Vineyard Mountain Red
sale price $75.00
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.
2020 Monte Rosso Vineyard Gnarly Vine Zinfandel
sale price $85.00
Our 2020 Gnarly Vine Zinfandel is a tightly wound wine that unfurls beautifully in the glass. Vibrant aromas of crushed raspberries, orange zest and star anise spiral toward the nose. Layer by layer, notes of pomegranate, red plum and Morello cherry unwind on the palate with hints of white pepper and shaved nutmeg. Classic Monte Rosso earth and baking spice shine through in this vintage. The energy of this wine stays consistent through the long finish.
2020 Monte Rosso Vineyard Cabernet Franc
sale price $70.00
This small-lot Cabernet Franc showcases the variety’s signature qualities through the lens of the Monte Rosso Vineyard. The 2020 vintage opens with vibrant aromas of red currant and dark cherry accentuated by notes of dried sage and thyme. The soft herbal tones extend through the palate as notes of cranberry, grilled red pepper and pie crust envelop the taste buds. Framed by plush tannins, this approachable wine is a versatile food pairing suitable for seasonal menus throughout the year.