Louis M. Martini Winery
Cellar 254
2009 Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley
Auction 15 | Lot No. 153
Vintage: 2009
Louis M. Martini Winery
Cellar 254
Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley
5 cases produced
Description
This wine is the culmination of over three generations of Napa Valley winemaking experience. Our goal is to understand and create one of the best Cabernets in the world, so in 2003 we created a small gravity-flow winery to be our combination “artist’s studio” and state-of-the-art laboratory. Cellar 254 allows us to work with small batches of grapes from some of the finest vineyards in Napa Valley, blend them together, and create the most complete wine possible. Each of the components of this wine is a vineyard selection of the highest order, with vinification fit to that specific site. Our Premiere Napa Valley wine is a blend of these component parts, an expression of the distinctiveness of Napa’s many sub-appellations. This Napa Valley Cabernet blend was partially submerged cap fermented, held in the classic extended maceration on the skins (blended to show off its best features) and then aged in French oak.
Aging Process
This was aged in French Oak barrels starting in October of 2009.
Tasting Chart
| bone dry |
|
very sweet |
| light body |
|
very full bodied |
| soft, gentle |
|
very crisp |
| no tannins |
|
heavy tannins |
 |
Michael Martini
Winemaker, Louis M. Martini Winery
Michael Martini learned the subtle art of winemaking and grape growing firsthand while growing up at his family’s winery in the Napa Valley. During school holidays, Mike worked alongside his father, Louis P., and grandfather, Louis M., assisting with wine blending and tending to the vines on the family’s many vineyards, including the renowned Monte Rosso Vineyard.
Country born: United States
Education: Degree in Fermentation Science from UC Davis.
Mike served as president of the Napa Valley Vintners’ Association, an organization his grandfather helped establish, and also served as president of the American Society of Enology and Viticulture and the Trellis Alliance at U.C. Davis.
Years in the wine industry: 30+ years
Winemaking Philosophy:
Under his father’s tutelage, Mike began to develop his own personal style as a winemaker, bringing balance and texture to his Cabernet Sauvignon blends. “My father’s wines are silk,” Mike says, “Mine are velvet.”
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: Our Premiere 254 “Special Selection” is a deep expression of Napa’s finest appellations. Our sense of exploration on this wine comes through seeking out and getting to know new vineyards.In the 2009 vintage, we had the privilege of working with fruit from Pritchard Hill, Stag’s Leap and Oakville. Searching for the best appellations within Napa and tasting new vineyards’ fruit each year, we get to experience the depth of flavor this valley has to offer, and all with the goal of blending the best Cabernet Sauvignon possible.
Bearfoot Bistro
4121 Village Green
Whistler BC V0N 1B4
Canada
604-905-9934
Premiere Napa Valley Wine Collection
| Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bennett Lane | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Calistoga | 19 | |
| Davies Vineyards | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Diamond Mountain District | Jack & Jamie's Blocks | 19 |
| Merryvale Vineyards | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | Schlatter Family Estate | 19 |
| Rubissow | 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Mount Veeder | Hawkwind | 19 |
| Darioush | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Mount Veeder | 15 | |
| Ehlers Estate | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | Three Clone Cabernet | 15 |
| Havens Winery | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | 15 | |
| Louis M. Martini Winery | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Cellar 254 | 15 |
| Merryvale Vineyards | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Estate | 15 |
| Pine Ridge Vineyards | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 5X5 | 15 |
| Sequoia Grove Winery | 2009 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Gary Morisoli's Catch | 15 |
| Barnett Vineyards | 2003 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Spring Mountain District | 9 | |
| Cain Vineyard and Winery | 2003 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Spring Mountain District | 9 | |
| Cliff Lede Vineyards | 2003 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | 9 | |
| Cornerstone Cellars | 2003 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | 9 | |
| Hess Collection Winery | 2002 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Mount Veeder | 9 | |
| Paradigm Winery | 2003 | Cabernet Franc | Oakville | 9 | |
| Pine Ridge Vineyards | 2003 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | 9 | |
| Sequoia Grove Vineyards | 2003 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 9 | |
| St. Clement Vineyards | 2003 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 9 | |
| Truchard Vineyards | 2003 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Los Carneros | 9 | |
| Volker Eisele Family Estate | 2004 | 50% Merlot 50% Cabernet Franc | Chiles Valley District | 9 | |
| Chimney Rock Winery | 2001 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Alpine Block | 7 |
| Clos Pegase | 2001 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Palisades Vineyard - Riverbed Block | 7 |
| Milat Vineyards | 2001 | Cabernet Sauvignon | St. Helena | Premiere Cuvee, Estate | 7 |
| Mount Veeder Winery | 2001 | Meritage | Napa Valley | 7 | |
| Reverie on Diamond Mountain | 2001/2002 | Malbec Blend | Diamond Mountain District | 7 | |
| The Hess Collection Winery | 2001 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Mt. Veeder | 7 | |
| Turnbull Wine Cellars | 2002 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Oakville | Turnbull Triangle | 7 |
| Benessere | 2000 | Sangiovese | St. Helena | Estate - Brunello di Montalcino clone | 6 |
| Chimney Rock Winery | 2000 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | "Premiere Cuvee" | 6 |
| Frazier Winery | 2001 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Lupine Hill Vineyard | 6 |
| Girard Winery | 1999 | Merlot | Oakville | 6 | |
| Monticello Vineyards | 2000 | Cabernet Franc | Napa Valley | Big Ranch Vineyards | 6 |
| Paradigm Winery | 2000 | Proprietary Red | Oakville | Estate Bottled | 6 |
| Rombauer Vineyards | 2000 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | 6 | |
| Schramsberg Vineyards | 1993 | Sparkling Wine | Napa Valley | J.L.D. Schram | 6 |
| Silverado Vineyards | 2000 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | See Selection | 6 |
| St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery | 2000 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Rutherford | 6 |
| Staglin Family Vineyard | 1999 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Salus - A Taste of the Old & New | 6 |
| Turnbull Wine Cellars | 2000 | Cabernet Franc | Oakville | Block 4/Weitz Vineyard | 6 |
| Volker Eisele Family Estate | 2001 | Merlot | Chiles Valley District | Volker Eisele Vineyard | 6 |
| Judd's Hill | 2000 | Chardonnay | Napa Valley | Blue Moon | 5 |
| St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery | 1999 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | 5 | |
| Turnbull Wine Cellars | 1999 | Red Table Wine | Oakville | 5 |
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