Napa Valley

Full

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Winemaker Zach Watkins tells me that all the vineyards they source across Napa Valley, including their single-vineyard sites, are ultimately destined for either the individual vineyard bottlings or The Gryphon, their new flagship blend. In the 2023 vintage, the fruit came from William Hill in Napa, with equal portions from Monte Rosso, Stagecoach, Bruadair, and Limitless, as well as contributions from several long-time grower partners. Anchored in southern Napa, with a lift of mountain fruit from these single-vineyard sites, the wine was fermented in stainless steel and aged for 19 months in 48% new French barriques. Is this the Louis M. Martini wine of the 1960s—a Cabernet built for the table, with food in mind? With tannins that are firm, ripe, and beautifully balanced, and acidity that’s present but never overwhelming—supportive, rather than dominant, and clearly geared towards long-term ageing—it certainly feels that way. This is super-classic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: inky black-fruited yet bright, layered with sagebrush, tobacco, violets, and loamy earth. It’s fresh, inviting, and deeply layered, with a velvety texture and slightly rustic tannins, all sharpened and focused by a graphite-driven mineral character. The lift, energy, and freshness here are off the charts. So structured, so vibrant—what a wonderful direction for this wine.

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Cabernet Sauvignon

Malbec

Louis M. Martini, The Gryphon, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, 2023

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Winemaker Zach Watkins tells me that all the vineyards they source across Napa Valley, including their single-vineyard sites, ar

Louis M. Martini, The Gryphon Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA 2023

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