“This is a classic Napa Cabernet…” – Decanter

With a legendary consulting winemaker and double the 94 points, this Napa Cab is 60% OFF now? Keith Emerson trained under Philippe Melka, and he also runs the winemaking program for Melka’s own label today. He also consults for Robert Craig and Skipstone.

Let’s talk Courtney Benham for a second, because this guy does not miss a beat. Do you guys remember Blackstone back in the day? I confess I was a slave to their Tannat and Sauvignon Blanc. Benham built Blackstone from the ground up with his brother, then sold it to Constellation Brands for approximately $140 MILLION way back in 2001.

Then, almost by accident, he stumbled on 1,500 cases of simply forgotten Martin Ray wines and bought the entire legacy on the spot. And with that ‘accident,’ Martin Ray’s high-elevation mountain Cabernets have gone on to land spots on Top 100 lists year in and year out.

And the vintage?! 2021 Napa Cabernet. James Suckling called it an APEX vintage..

The vineyards??? This wine pulls from 5 Napa Valley appellations to include 4 of Napa’s heaviest-hitting sub-appellations, Diamond Mountain, Mount Veeder, Rutherford, and Oakville. (Hmmm, coincidence? Martin Ray’s top Cabernets are also from these appellations. Same family of wines….) 🧐

In the glass, deep purple, practically inky. Dark cassis and crushed blackberry hit first, chased by a hint of vanilla and warm baking spices. Its juicy black fruit is welcoming, filled with broad but round ripe tannins that showcase a silky smooth, mouth-coating experience. It’s far from sappy or overly extracted, holding everything in balance. A hint of licorice and graphite at the end brings this fantastic Cab all together. Pair it with whatever’s hitting the wood-fired grill, because that’s basically the trend chefs are obsessed with this year, and this is a match made in heaven. Or go full influencer and get your smash burger game on! This Cab can hang with either one.

$120 at the winery. A 100-point winemaker’s fingerprints on a bottle down to $48. Make of that what you will… we expect this to go FAST.

94 Points – Decanter “This red, of which just 12 barrels were produced, comes from the valley floor and mountain fruit, all on alluvial loam and volcanics, essentially a barrel selection of the best lots. Aged 20 months in 45% new French oak. This is a classic Napa Cabernet, showing black fruit, graphite, toasty oak spices, a full-bodied richness with fine, powdery tannins, and a long espresso bean finish. Drink 2026-2034.”

94 Points – James Suckling “Blackberry and blueberry with lots of violets and hints of asphalt on the nose. Medium- to full-bodied, plush and juicy but not heavy or overly rich. Fine velvety tannins. A blend of key appellations such as Diamond Mountain, Mount Veeder, Rutherford and Oakville.”