Nose
The 2017 vintage opens with aromas of black currant, plum, incense and leather
Palate
The striking palate is filled with notes of dark fruit and black cherry with hints of toasted caramel in a plush mouthfeel. The exceptionally long finish evolves with layers of toasted oak while an unparalleled balance of fine tannins and acidity will allow this wine to age for decades.
Winemaking
Our concept of small-lot winemaking dates back to 1948, when Louis M. Martini began ranking his most exceptional Cabernet lots to use for a special selection blend. We honor this attention to detail with every vintage we make, fermenting Lot No. 1 in small open-top tanks, which allow for a high level of precision when extracting color and flavor. All lots were alternately punched down and pumped over up to four times daily to build the desired foundation for the wine’s mouthfeel. Our barrel program for Lot No. 1 is also unique, with the primary component being 36-month air dried French oak. This longer drying time encourages rich tannin structure throughout the duration of the wine’s 19 months in barrel (100% French oak, 80% new).
