Martin Estate
Premiere Row
2008 Cabernet Sauvignon
Rutherford
Auction 14 | Lot No. 29
Vintage: 2008
Martin Estate
Premiere Row
Cabernet Sauvignon
Rutherford
5 cases produced
Description
When Martin Estate's Puerta Dorada Vineyard was planted in 1996, the old dirt road that ran through the center of the property leading to the forgotten H.H. Harris Winery was plowed under. The Martins chose to plant this section of the vineyard with Clone 6, a very low-yielding yet inherently intense Cabernet Sauvignon. The last time wine was made on the estate premises was in 1908/09, when Georges de Latour leased the massive stone chateau and employed its winemaker, Henry Stice, to make his first vintages. One hundred years later, Martin Estate winemaker Frederic Delivert decided to leave two rows of Clone 6 hanging on the vine longer than the rest of the vineyard, in order to make an exclusive Premiere Napa Valley Cabernet that explodes with fruit, perfectly ripened tannins and complexity. The grapes were handpicked into small micro-bins, then sorted and fermented separately in a new French open-top barrel by Seguin Moreau. Made by nature and guided gently, Premiere Row celebrates the union of past and present. Taste and experience a wine that is as big and powerful—yet elegantly structured—as a pure Rutherford Napa Valley Cabernet can be.
Aging Process
The wine spent 19 months in 100% new French oak.
Wine Facts
- pH: 3.77
- Sustainably produced
- Wine is 100% estate grown and bottled
Tasting Chart
| bone dry |
|
very sweet |
| light body |
|
very full bodied |
| soft, gentle |
|
very crisp |
| no tannins |
|
heavy tannins |
 |
Frederic Delivert
Winemaker, MARTIN ESTATE
Frederic Delivert has been Martin Estate’s winemaker for more than four years. He holds a Masters Degree in Agriculture, with an emphasis in enology, from the Ecole Supérieure d’Agricultrure de Purpan (ESAP). One of Napa Valley’s rising stars, he has worked both sides of the Atlantic, including Domaine Croix Maro and Domaine de La Valmale in France.
Frederic believes that wines should be a pure expression of the soils and seasons in which they are grown. It is this respect for the vine, coupled with his uncompromising standards and spare-no-expenses winemaking approach, that make him a perfect fit for Martin Estate, where he is making the best wines of his career.
Country born: France
Education: Master's Degree in Agriculture, with an emphasis in enology, from the Ecole Supérieure d’Agricultrure de Purpan (ESAP)
Years in the wine industry: 10-15 years
Winemaking Philosophy:
Winemaking should reflect the vineyard and vintage, the soils and seasons in which the fruit is grown.
Q&A With the Winemaker
Q: Premiere Napa Valley wines are innovative and allow each winery to showcase the region's sense of exploration in fine winemaking. What kind of exploration did your Premiere Napa Valley wine allow you to do?
A: 1. Martin Estate’s “Premiere Row” auction lot allowed full-time winemaker Frederic Delivert to push the envelope in both the vineyard and the cellar. In the Estate’s Puerta Dorada Vineyard, Frederic chose to leave two rows of clone 6 Cabernet Sauvignon hanging on the vine longer than the rest of the vineyard. This rare clone consistently achieves "physiological ripeness” – that elusive goal of seeing your fruit’s tannins, sugars and acids all ripen in harmony, rather than one before the other – and would be considered a winemaker’s dream, were it not for the vine’s exceptionally low yields. The longer hang time allowed the fruit’s seed tannins to reach optimal ripeness, which resulted in a wine with smooth, integrated tannins and zero hardness.
In the cellar, Frederic chose to ferment the lot in a brand new open top French barrel from Seguin Moreau. Frederic found the aromatic release he achieves from this hands-on attention to be irresistible. With its rich, dusty spice and berry bouquet, the 2008 Premiere Row did not disappoint.
Q: What was your inspiration for this offering?
A: 2. The historic chateau and winery pays tribute to its 19th century winemaking roots, so it seemed fitting to everyone to exclusively showcase a clone with an equally illustrious pedigree. After more than a decade of fruit production, the Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 6 has proven how perfectly suited it is to the Rutherford terrain, a terrain that is famous for its Cabernet Sauvignons.
Q: Fill in the blanks: I chose to make this wine from this particular ______________ because ______________.
A: I chose to make this wine from this particular Clone 6 Cabernet Sauvignon Lot because Clone 6 consistently proves itself as perfect for Martin Estate’s Rutherford soils and climates.
Q: Why should a wine lover have a bottle of this wine in their cellar?
A: Martin Estate wines highlight the finesse and flavor of their Rutherford terroir. The 2008 Premiere Row is a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon of the highest quality that will age beautifully, yet is immediately accessible.
Q: Any quote, poem, lyric you feel represents this wine?
A: “A Classic is Forever.”®
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Premiere Napa Valley Wine Collection
| Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belle Glos | 2019 | Pinot Noir | Napa Valley | Eulenloch | 25 |
| Duckhorn Vineyards | 2019 | Merlot | Calistoga | Three Palms Vineyard Block 4 | 25 |
| Nickel & Nickel | 2019 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | John C. Sullenger Vineyard | 25 |
| PlumpJack Winery | 2019 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | East Meets West | 25 |
| Antica Napa Valley - Antinori Family Wine Estate | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Atlas Peak | A3 | 21 |
| Chappellet Vineyard | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 21 | |
| FARM Napa Valley by John Anthony | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley | 21 | |
| Rubissow | 2015 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Mount Veeder | Hawkwind | 21 |
| Sodaro Estate Winery | 2014 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Coombsville | Homage à Denis Malbec | 21 |
| PlumpJack Winery | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | 19 | |
| Shafer Vineyards | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Sunspot Vineyard | 19 |
| Barbour Wines | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | Man Cave Blend | 18 |
| Beringer Vineyards | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | 18 | |
| Chimney Rock Winery | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Cardiac Hillside | 18 |
| Joseph Phelps Vineyards | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Backus Vineyard | 18 |
| Laird Family Estate | 2012 | Red Wine | Yountville | Flat Rock Ranch Proprietary Blend | 18 |
| Martin Estate | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Terroir in a Bottle | 18 |
| Newton Vineyard | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 18 | |
| Odette Estate Winery | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | 18 | |
| Rubissow | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Mount Veeder | Hawkwind | 18 |
| Schrader | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Double Diamond, Rocky’s Row | 18 |
| Signorello Estate | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Cuvee Athena | 18 |
| Spring Mountain Vineyard | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Spring Mountain District | Terra Buena | 18 |
| Tierra Roja Vineyards | 2012 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Katharine's Blend | 18 |
| Beringer Vineyards | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | 17 | |
| Heitz Wine Cellars | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | 17 | |
| Robert Foley Vineyards and Switchback Ridge | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | All-American Boy and Girl | 17 |
| Signorello Estate | 2011 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Cuvée Athena | 17 |
| Spoto Wines | 2011 | Red Wine | Oakville | Private Reserve Cuvée | 17 |
| Cliff Lede Vineyards | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Dream Hill | 16 |
| Darioush | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 16 | |
| Duckhorn Vineyards | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Three Palms Vineyard | 16 |
| Far Niente | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Martin Stelling Vineyard | 16 |
| Martin Estate | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Puerta Dorada Vineyard | 16 |
| Mt. Brave | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Mount Veeder | 16 | |
| PlumpJack Winery | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | 16 | |
| Raymond Vineyards | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Evolution | 16 |
| Robert Craig Winery | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | Block Two | 16 |
| Silver Oak Cellars | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | NaSoCaRa | 16 |
| Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars | 2010 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | XL | 16 |
| XTANT | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Dirt Blend | 16 |
| Antica Napa Valley - Antinori Family Wine Estate | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Atlas Peak | The Edge | 15 |
| Beringer Vineyards | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 15 | |
| Oberon Wines | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Hillside Reserve, Three Elevations | 15 |
| Silver Oak Cellars | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Come Together,Right Now | 15 |
| Terlato Family Vineyards | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Tête de Cuvee | 15 |
| Truchard Vineyards | 2010 | Red Wine | Los Carneros | Sal's Selection | 15 |
| Beringer Vineyards | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Mountain to Valley | 14 |
| CADE Estate Winery | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | 14 | |
| Coho | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Diamond Mountain District | SummitVine Ranch Upper Block | 14 |
| Darioush | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 14 | |
| Duckhorn Vineyards | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Three Palms Vineyard | 14 |
| Etude | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Vine Hill Ranch | 14 |
| Hourglass | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 36-24-36 | 14 |
| John Anthony Vineyards | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley | 14 | |
| Larkmead Vineyards | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 14 | |
| Martin Estate | 2008 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Premiere Row | 14 |
| Sodaro Estate Winery | 2008 | Petit Verdot | Napa Valley | 14 | |
| Hudson Vineyards | 2007 | Red Wine | Los Carneros | Pick Up Sticks | 13 |
| J. Davies Vineyards | 2007 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Tierra Roja Block, Diamond Mountain District | 13 |
| Saintsbury | 2008 | Pinot Noir | Napa Valley | Brown Ranch | 13 |
| XTANT | 2006 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | 13 | |
| Arietta | 2006 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Best of H | 12 |
| Coho | 2006 | Merlot | Napa Valley | Michael Black Vineyard | 12 |
| Hartwell Vineyards | 2006 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Highland Cuvee | 12 |
| Hourglass | 2006 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | 36-24-36 | 12 |
| John Anthony Vineyards | 2006 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Bordeaux Blend | 12 |
| Reynolds Family Winery | 2006 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | 12 | |
| Rocca Family Vineyards | 2006 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 12 | |
| Rombauer Vineyards | 2006 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Proprietors Diamond Selection | 12 |
| Round Pond Estate | 2006 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 12 | |
| RUDD | 2006 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Mount Veeder | 12 | |
| Saintsbury | 2007 | Pinot Noir | Los Carneros | Brown Ranch | 12 |
| Bighorn Cellars | 2005 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Bill's & Dick's Broken Rock Barrel | 11 |
| Chimney Rock Winery | 2005 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Alpine Vineyard | 11 |
| Saintsbury | 2006 | Pinot Noir | Los Carneros | Brown Ranch | 11 |
| Arietta | 2004 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Quartet | 10 |
| Beringer Vineyards | 2004 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Ridge to Ridge | 10 |
| Bighorn Cellars | 2004 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | BILL'S BARREL BROKEN ROCK BLOCK | 10 |
| Conn Creek Winery | 2004 | Cabernet Franc | St. Helena | Act Two | 10 |
| Cornerstone Cellars | 2004 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | 10 | |
| Far Niente | 2004 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Martin Stelling Vineyard | 10 |
| Girard Winery | 2004 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 10 | |
| La Jota Vineyard Co. | 2004 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | 10 | |
| Saintsbury | 2005 | Pinot Noir | Los Carneros | Brown Ranch, Pommard Clone | 10 |
| BOND | 2003 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | 9 | |
| Clos Du Val | 2003 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | 9 | |
| Joseph Phelps Vineyards | 2003 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | 9 | |
| Nickel and Nickel | 2003 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | 9 | |
| Saintsbury | 2004 | PINOT NOIR | Los Carneros | 9 | |
| Cliff Lede Vineyards | 2002 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Gypsy Block | 8 |
| Del Dotto Vineyards | 2001 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 2001 Del Dotto 36/36 Cabernet | 8 |
| Juslyn Vineyards | 2002 | 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot | Napa Valley | 8 | |
| Kathryn Hall Vineyards | 2002 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Sacrashe Vineyard | 8 |
| Lewis Cellars | 2002 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Premiere Cuvee | 8 |
| Marston Family Vineyard | 2002 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Spring Mountain District | A Menasco Memory | 8 |
| Mount Veeder Winery | 2002 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 8 | |
| Napa Wine Company | 2002 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Rockcairn Vineyard | 8 |
| Niebaum-Coppola Estate Winery | 2002 | Petit Verdot/Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Black and Blue | 8 |
| Paoletti Estates Winery | 2001 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Lilia's Special Cuvee | 8 |
| Artesa Winery | 1997 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Bookends Blend | 4 |
| Corison Winery | 1998 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Kronos Vineyard, Cordon | 4 |
| David Arthur Vineyards | 1998 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | General Rutherford's Red | 4 |
| Joseph Phelps Vineyards | 1998 | Syrah (70%), Insignia (Cabernet Sauvignon 24%%, Merlot 6%) | Napa Valley | 4 | |
| Pine Ridge Vineyards | 1998 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Domeniconi Reserve | 4 |
| Swanson Vineyards | 1998 | Table Wine | Napa Valley | LaTiDa | 4 |
| Cardinale | 1997 | Cabernet Sauvignon Blend | Napa Valley | 3 | |
| Chimney Rock Winery | 1997 | Cabernet Sauvignon (100%) | Stags Leap District | Reserve | 3 |
| Domaine Charbay Winery and Distillery | Distillers' Port | Napa Valley | Single-Barrel Release | 3 | |
| S. Anderson Vineyard | 1997 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Premiere Reserve Richard Chambers Vineyard | 3 |
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