2017 LOT 1 NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Vineyard Notes

Appellation

Napa Valley

Composition

100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Oak Tech Notes

Time: 19 Months

Type: 100% French Oak, 80% New

Alcohol Content

15.3%

Residual Sugar

0.9g/L Ph

3.63

Titratable Acidity

6.5g/L

Cases Produced

1,272

Our founder believed in a simple, honest premise: The best grapes make the best wines. Today, this legacy continues at our historic winery with an acclaimed collection of unforgettable wines, including the pinnacle of our portfolio, Lot No. 1 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

Vinicultural Notes

Lot No. 1 is something of a mosaic of iconic appellations and vineyards, an assemblage of Napa Valley’s best mountain, benchland and valley floor fruit. The 2017 vintage is comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon from Atlas Peak, Howell Mountain, Stags Leap, Mount Veeder and other stellar sites throughout Napa Valley AVA. From a growing perspective in 2017, ample winter rains fuelled vine growth early in the season followed by steady warmth in the summer and fall, leading to a slightly early harvest with ripe, fruit driven intensity.

Winemaker Notes

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 honour 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 colour and flavour. 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).

Wine Profile

The 2017 vintage opens with aromas of black currant, plum, incense and leather while 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.