100% Cabernet Sauvignon from Sonoma County, California.
Sample submitted for review. SRP of $18 and available for as low as $11 at Costco.
From the bottle:
"Louis M. Martini built his winery in the Napa Valley in 1933. His passion was Cabernet Sauvignon. Martini planted and acquired top Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards throughout Napa and Sonoma counties to pursue his passion. Today, Winemaker Michael Martini continues his grandfather's tradition of crafting rich, complex and beautifully structured wines.
This Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon showcases fresh, ripe flavors of black cherry, currant, and spice. It pairs well with beef, lamb, pasta marinara, and rich cheeses.
13.8% Alcohol"
Today's wine is the second we've reviewed from Louis M. Martini, a California winery that has specialized in Cabernet Sauvignon for over 75 years. We previously tried the Alexander Valley Cabernet which clocked in just a penny under our limit but was still able to garner a Recommended Buy rating thanks to its delicious taste. So the question is whether this less expensive, Sonoma County Cabernet can live up to the same standards. The answer? Read on...
The 2009 Louis M. Martini Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon begins with very nice aromas of blackberry, plum and vanilla plus a bit of a spicy herb component. Tasting the medium-bodied wine shows nice fruit flavor with great mouthfeel and texture. There's lots of black cherry cola, strawberry, raspberry, and vanilla plus some good dusty tannins. The finish is dry with lots of black cherry cola flavors that last for a long time along with some dark chocolate notes. Overall this wine is pretty nice and very good for the price. Definitely a wine that is sure to please and a great wine to break out at a party or especially a BBQ as this one would be really good with a steak. It also held up great on day 2.
See a listing of local retailers selling this wine here.