Martin Ray Winery
2014 Napa Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon
California: Napa Valley
Mission Briefing
Ray of Light
Happy Memorial Day, dear Operative!
The last time we featured a Martin Ray wine, our Operatives responded by scooping up every last case that we had on sale. Martin Ray returns, today, with an even more special wine, their Martin Ray Winery 2014 Napa Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon.
This young wine is drinking beautifully at the moment, we can’t wait to see how much better it will become with even just a little more aging.
Very fragrant on the nose, with incredible aromas of smoky black cherry, blackberry reduction, grilled beef, savory spice, twigs, summer forest and black pepper.
Deep and delicious on the palate, with flavors of blackberry preserve, spice box, smoked meat, grilled cherry, baker’s chocolate, dried fall leaves, cassis and subtle black pepper.
Cheers!
~
Here’s what the wine press has to say:
92 points - Wilfred Wong - “An unusual reserve offering—reserves are often powerful, super ripe or over-oaked. The 2014 Martin Ray Napa Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is not that way at all. The wine’s red fruit and medium bodied style place it in a more elegant group. Drinks well now.”
Tasting Profile
Look: | Deep garnet hues, from the slightly opaque heart, to the lighter edges. Wine settles quickly when swirled. |
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Smell: | Smoky black cherry, blackberry reduction, grilled beef, savory spice, twigs, summer forest and black pepper. |
Taste: | Blackberry preserve, spice box, smoked meat, grilled cherry, baker’s chocolate, dried fall leaves, cassis and subtle black pepper. |
Finish: | Flavors ease onto the palate at first, and then quickly ramp up, delivering sensations to the far corners of the palate. Fruits appear first, followed by earth and subtle spice elements. Medium tannins drive flavors to the far corners of the palate, while drying the lips, cheeks and tongue. |
Pairing: | Enjoy this wine with a pile of juicy riblets, a grilled steak, a pot roast, lamb burgers… and more. |
What the Winery Says
- Winemaker
- Bill Batchelor
- Varietal
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Vintage
- 2014
- Appellation
- Napa Valley
- Abv
- 13.9%
- Brix at Harvest
- 25.7 ̊
- pH
- 3.77
- TA
- 5.8 g/L
- Harvest date
- Oct 16, 2014
- Aging
- 16 months
- Barels
- 50% new French oak
- Release date
- March 2017