One of the historic spots in the Napa Valley, Louis M. Martini winery was originally constructed in 1933 and one of the first in Napa Valley to open after the repeal of Prohibition. The winery was fully restored in 2019 and offers a range of tours and tasting experience. Head winemaker Michael Eddy is the fourth winemaker in Martini history. Originally from Southern California, Michael’s background includes stops at Trefethen Family Vineyards, Beaulieu Vineyard and Rodney Strong Vineyards. Michael began his journey with Martini in 2005, focusing exclusively on Cabernet Sauvignon. He would spend more than a decade learning from Michael Martini, grandson of founder Louis M. Martini.
I loved the new wines across the board which are stunning renditions of Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2018 Louis M. Martini ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 91) is a seriously good value. This beautiful wine will cellar well for another decade. The best wine I tried was the 2016 Louis M. Martini ‘Lot No. 1’ Cabernet Sauvignon (OB, 95) which is a barrel selection wine that is seriously refined and is drinking magically at now the five year mark. Learn more about this famed house at https://www.louismartini.com and here are my reviews of the new Louis M. Martini wines.
2018 Louis M. Martini ‘Napa Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon- A good value, this is a dense and chewy bottling with violets and loamy terroir alongside a great core of dark fruits and chocolate. Enjoy over the next seven plus years. Drink 2021-2028- 91
2017 Louis M. Martini ‘Howell Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon- The 2017 Louis M. Martini ‘Howell Mountain’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a gorgeous new 100% varietal bottling that will have an exceedingly long life ahead of it. Once on the nose this takes on loamy soils and espresso bean tones with black currants and blueberry compote, providing an exotic edge. The palate is dense, polished and loaded with dark and blue fruits with firm tannins holding everything in place. Gorgeous now, this will provide drinking enjoyment for another two decades. Give this an hour in the decanter if enjoying now. Drink 2022-2040- 94
2016 Louis M. Martini ‘Lot No. 1’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Also 100% varietal, the 2016 ‘Lot No. 1’ is a barrel select bottling that is absolutely singing now at the five year mark. This saw 21 months in barrel (100% French oak, 93% new) prior to bottling. On the nose this shows off rich cassis and cloves that mingle with espresso bean and tar aromatics that all build in the glass. The palate is deep, concentrated and highly refined. Rich cassis, dark chocolate and loamy soils all brilliantly combine with a great sense of minerality. Refined and gorgeous to savor now, this has another twenty years ahead of it. Drink 2021-2040- 95