RP 97 was spot on, it’s getting there. Still not showing any signs of aging. Agree with other posters on the flavor. Wow! glad I grabbed plenty. Sometimes bob is right. Enjoy!
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Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim. Not showing age at all.
Fruity nose with blackberries, blueberries, black currants, cedar, vanilla, tobacco, leather, coffee, light bell pepper, chocolates, black pepper and spices.
Full bodied and elegant with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry and fruity on the palate with blackberries, plums, cherries, oak, vanilla, licorice, spices, chocolates, tobacco, earth and peppercorn.
Long spicy finish with medium plus tannins and tangy cherries.
This is a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley. Rich and elegant.
Showing nice complexity and a great mouthfeel.
This is a great surprise. I usually don't love the Sonoma Valley one as much as their Napa Valley version, but this is so yummy.
Drinks very nicely right out of the bottle, and better after 30 minutes of airtime.
Peaking now, and will continue to drink nicely in the next 3 years.
Easy drinking, good by itself and good with food.
Robert Parker 97 points.
A blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petite Sirah. Aged for 16 months in (50% new) French and American Oak barrels.
14.9% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$80.
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Believe it. This is an incredibly well-built wine that is aging slowly and gracefully into a beautifully balanced wine that will last another 10 plus years in bottle. Nice acidity, soft balance and a wonderful mouthfeel with the pork chops, mashed potatos, and buttered-garlic green beans tonight with Katie and Tim.
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Broad. Big black & red fruits on the nose. Plenty of underbrush; reminded me of brambly Zin fruit. Med+ acid & tannin, though I would have liked even greater presence to support to body. Tasty on its own & worked with a steak.
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2014 Louis M. Martini Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County
Cellared since release. Enjoyed on April 26, 2023. 30 minute decant for aeration. Minimal sediment. Deep ruby in color, with juice staining the glass. The nose was stubborn and consisted of black fruit without noticeable tertiary development. The action in this fruit driven wine was all up front. The wine was medium to full bodied red and black fruit, with moderate tannins which were not obtrusive. There was a notable overall sense of freshness and balance to the wine. The wine was pleasant to drink with Italian food, but there was limited complexity and a short finish. I would wait 2-3 years to try the next one hoping for more development.
90 points.
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I bought this wine for $24 many moons ago. It was rated highly by WS but for some reason I wrote it off. It’s delicious these 9 yrs later. Black raspberry, slightly burnt waffle, half n half, with a peach & toffee finish. Just a stunner given low price point. Cellaring is a roulette but this came up double 6’s. A finish that won’t stop.
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This has been an interesting wine to watch in the Tasting Notes section while I tried to remain patient. From initial excitement to a period of concern and disappointment, the timing started to seem right to open one and see where we are...and it does not disappoint.
Gave 2h air. Deep ruby color. Slightly shy aromas of raspberry, dust, dark chocolate, and jalapeno. Creamy and smooth, full-bodied. Chalky tannins add a frame for intense raspberry, fig and baking spice on the palate. While robust, retains an elegance about it. A slight medicinal quality in the finish is the one off note.
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One hour decant. Dark red fruit with tobacco and floral notes and hints of fruitcake on the palate. Very smooth and pairing easily with food in general. Easy drinking in the best way.
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Punches well above its weight class. Pop and pour, has beautiful depth and flavor. Will add notes if necessary on night two. Happy to have more of these, plenty of time left but singing now
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Definitely has improved with age and is in a perfect drinking window right now. Plums and leather persist on the nose. A very rich fruit forward body that does not fall apart on a long finish. I taste some tobacco, ever so slightly smoky on the finish, even hours after opening the wine...
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Dark fruity nose, lacking the complexity of 7 mo ago. Very tight with dark berry fruit and vegetal tones, just a hint of vanilla May be going thru a dumb phase or perhaps bottle variation. Still decent, just not spectacular
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Classic cabernet with moderate bouquet of vanilla and dark fruit. Medium full on the palate with blueberry, blackberry and rich vanilla overtones. Moderate tannins and a smooth flavorful finish. This held up well over three days of drinking.
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Fabulous nose of vanilla, menthol and dark fruit Classic cassis fruit predominates, along with vanilla, cranberry, chocolate and hint of vegetal flavor Great fruit and balanced to soft at this point Lingering finish
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Two hour decant, very little sediment. Louis' little boy is all grown up. This bottle showed well. Fruit forward nose, good flavors and nice, long finish. Acid and tannins both present in good measure. These will be good for another five or more years.
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The wine is deep and dark in color, which made me think that we were going to be treated to a terrific cab. Tasted immediately upon pouring, the wine was a full bodied fruit bomb with a cherry finish, but the nose was a bit tight. The wine did NOT improve after 2 hours of decanting and both nose and palate became more muted over time. A good wine for sure, but IMHO, it is not even close to the WA 97 score it received.
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An early pioneer of winemaking in Napa Valley California, Louis Martini began in the early 1900s and would go on to be a legend in the wine business; more recently their 2013 Lot No. 1 Cabernet Sauvignon receiving a 100 Point score from a prominent publication.
Unfortunately, I’m not reviewing that wine; I am reviewing their
Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley 2014
This wine was first sought after by yours truly four years ago right after gaining a stellar 97 Point review from the same reviewer as their Lot 1. Of particular note was that the Alexander Valley Cab sells for a fraction of Lot 1; how perfect is that?
The wine made from 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petite Sirah was aged 16 months in 50% new French and American casks and comes in at an alcohol content of 14.9%. I tried the wine back when I first purchased it and while it presented itself wonderfully, I felt that my review, and subsequent score, might be a tad less than 97.
Having the benefit of several more years in bottle, I would be more than willing to add a notch or two above my earlier score. The effects of those years adding to a softer, but no less, lush wine encompassing dark black fruit with undertones of oak with a gentle but noticeable grip to it. The tannins fall into line and help create a soft and pleasurable finish.
A somewhat unorthodox meal to go with the wine, I prepared Blackened Halibut with Black Beans and Corn over Rice; it turned out to be a wonderful combination.
Since their early history, Martini has continued to innovate and move forward; having since been acquired by Gallo. Under the watchful eye of their winemaker, Michael Eddy, they have continued to strive to produce world-class wines, but no martini cocktails on the horizon that I can tell.
Cheers
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2-1/2 double decant. Little sediment. Opaque to deep red/purple edge. Port-like nose with notes of cherry, cassis and blackberry. Initial taste of cherry cough syrup. Notes of spice later. A bit of a 'fruit bomb', not a negative, but intense fruity flavors and a certain 'jammy thickness.' Long, lingering finish. Drinking well now, will hold for some time to come.
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Over 3 nights. Classic, down-the-middle new world cab. Certainly no complaints that it doesn't try to be more than it is. Reminiscent of the Quilceda CVR. In it's sweet spot, drink now.
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Great QPR! Drinking well at the moment on a PnP! Paired with a seasoned tri tip. If a glass makes it to tomorrow I’d be interested to see how it evolves. That’s a big IF...the wife is enjoying the bottle as well.
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A beautiful example of Sonoma Cab. Much better than in my comment of two years ago. The additional age has really brought it into its own, as I had hoped.
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Very dark purple in color. Aggressive aromas of black raspberries, cassis, smoky herbs, graphite and cedar. A full bodied palate follows through with jammy blue and black berries, hint of bbq smoke, hint of licorice, olive paste, medium acidity, fine tannins, oak still present and a long finish. This is getting even better with age and is a great QPR wine.
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Totally integrated and full of life- beautiful structure and balance! Outstanding brilliant color with a gorgeous black cherry nose that is overwhelming. Perfect example of an mature Alexander Valley cabernet. Lots of spice and character, this wine has it all! Really wish I had a case of this one stashed away in the cellar.
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Deep purple-red in color. Effusive aromas of candied black raspberries, graphite, hint of cedar and smoky herbs. A full bodied palate shows rich/ripe dark berry jam, hint of licorice, charcoal, medium (-) acidity, fine grainy tannins and a long sweet and fruity finish.
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Was Mr. Robert Parker smoking Crack cocaine when he gave this wine 97 points?! This is no doubt a good Alexander Valley Cabernet, maybe even better than most others, but 97 points?! Are you (bleeping) kidding me?! Mr. Parker, please put down the crack pipe and get back in touch with reality.
Unlike Mr. Parker, I did not experience near euphoria in this bottle of wine. Rather, I found a very decent wine for the money ($30) and some pleasant notes of cassis berries, ripe strawberries, roasted nuts, a healthy dose of oak, some fermented grape leaves, and mild tannins. And the nose was particularly impressive, fruitcake and tar. Parker's drink-date was by 2036, which is as ridiculous as his hyperbolic score... drink it now!
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Very good wine and ready to drink. Does not need a decant. Medium to full bodied and tannins well balanced. Not over-extracted like many - elegant but flavorful.
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PNP,this bottle munch better than the last with better structure and finish lots more black berry and currant and black cherry and solid mid palate. Bottle variance strikes again. 93+ but definitely not a 97.
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A bit surprised at the depth and richness of the wine. Gave it some air. Quite full-bodied. Average nose. Very nice chewy purple fruit. A finish that you want to pause and enjoy.
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First crack at this wine. Not much of a nose. On the front end, very subdued. As it flows over the tongue, becomes a very smooth rich wine with pleasant dark fruit. Decent finish.
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89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot and the rest Petite Sirah, Cabernet Franc and other varieties. PNP. Heavy, port-like nose of dark red fruit. Some bacon/meat. Good balance and long finish. RP-97? Not so much. Will keep, good if you like this sort of thing.
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PnP with prime strip steak. Absolutely beautiful right now. Rich color, lovely & complex aromas leaping out of the glass, silky mouthfeel and polished tannin. Reminded me more of a Rutherford Napa wine than an Alexander Valley Sonoma. Great value at $30. This was the first of the 3 bottles I bought. Glad I have two more.
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Deep reddish purple in color. No heat on this one, but nose and palate impact were decidedly on the ripe and oaky style. I thought the first bottle I opened a while ago was better. There is a lot of cedary and smoky accents to the ripe black and blue fruits along with graphite on a long oaky and dark olive paste finish.
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Opened and poured. Seems entirely ready to drink, and I do not see it as declining -- but I see no reason to wait. It did open up in the glass a bit, so were I opening another bottle would decant 30 minutes if convenient.
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Give a wine under $40 a 97/100 point score by Bob (Parker) and watch it disappear from the shelves in 48 hours, which is exactly what this did in the Wichita market. This is my second of 6 bottles to try the first being nice as I remember but not over whelming. I decided to post the lot number (LAB040816ND) after all there were 11,000 cases or 132,000 bottles of this wine made. I now understand why some wine magazines insist on tasting blind and asking for 6 bottles or so to clear up bottle variance issues. This bottling is one of those circumstances. Color was dark ruby on the edge and opaque purple in the middle with red tinges. The legs on this I noticed were dead slow. The nose ran rampant with blackberry/blueberry compote, cedar, graphite,loam, black olive and smoke. The palate was dense, still tannic with luscious blackberry fruit and some rough pencil lead graphite up front with vanilla and oak and some rustic forest floor. The finish was tight and clingy. I'm not sensing the heat on this bottles that some others are. Acids are pretty light for this terroir. So I sense that is why some reviewers are sensing it may be on the down hill slide but the huge legs on it gives me pause on that issue. I feel that this is kind of like an attempt at a Silver Oak style of the late 80's and early 90 vintages that had received so much praise but appears to lack the definition and finesse. In my humble opinion, granting any score on a wine above a 95 should be reserved for those special moments when a wine goes beyond its nose, palate and finish and offer that impeccable balance along with smooth grained tannin just singing along like a crescendo of a chorus. Pair with sirloin steak steak, flank steak or aged Manchego cheese. Purchased over 2 days at a local ABC store and Jack's. Best between 2019-2025.
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Pnp. Dark purple. Muted nose. Medium-full body. Black cherry, blackcurrants. Structured and slightly tannic. First bottle of a case purchased nearly two years ago for a good price. A bit concerned that others are noting a decline. I'll try again soon.
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Okay medium-bodied Cab but nothing memorable, certainly not the breathtaking 97 that one pro reviewer gave it. In a blind test I might have guessed it was a $12 mass production bottle. A little tart when first opened, but flavor improved after about an hour. Somewhat more tannic than fruity or floral; might improve with another year or two in bottle.
Two days later: The wine left over from first opening is now much smoother and better integrated. I doubt that would be true if it were past peak and declining. I have revised my score from 88 initially to 92. My surmise now is that it is still young and coming together. Definitely needs a long decant of you are going to open a bottle now, but it may get even better with longer cellaring.
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WINE ADVOCATE gave this wine 97 points in October, 2016, and said it could last 20 years. Sounded like a real bargain for the money.
All my bottles have been stored in a climate-controlled wine cellar. I first tried this wine in May, 2017; it impressed me greatly and I gave it 94 points. Subsequent bottles in November, 2017, were not as impressive (91 points IMHO).
This is my first bottle since then. Decanted and drunk over 2 hours. Good overall, but disappointing nonetheless. I agree with SILENT7706: This wine is definitely on the downhill. While not "over the hill" yet, you can taste its slow demise, and it now throws off lots of sediment. While still fairly tasty per se, the palate is fairly simple and the finish short. Don't know why WINE ADVOCATE gave it 97 points or thought it could last 20 years. I will drink my remaining few bottles in the near future.
Dark red with purple highlights. Blackish red and blue small berries, black olives, oak and smoke on the nose. Medium-full bodied with rich and ripe dark black cherries/raspberries preserves, olive tapenade, medium acidity, grippy tannins and a long vanilla and wood perfumed finish. Pretty good value Cab.
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Perfectly good for the price point-- a smooth drinking cab with some layered fruit a bit of acid. Drank over two days and it kept its structure/balance overnight. Missing something to make it more memorable (mineral or more assertive tannin to balance out the fruit)
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This was the best of four bottles I bought, had more lift, fruit, and overall personality. Went great with chicken and ribs. Two days to finish, and it didn't change much.
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This was very good, but I think it was over-rated when I bought it over a year ago. I was told it had a pro rating of 97 and was allowed only two bottles, which I purchased. However, although it was, as I said, a good Cab and rich (berry, spice, oak), and it went well with grilled steak, and I think it was a good value at about $30, I just don't think that it was worth 97 points at any time and certainly not now! (It did not significantly change from the time I first opened the bottle until serving it about 45 minutes later to about an hour after that.)
I will wait two years to open the other bottle.
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This is a delicious Alexander Valley Cab with loads of black fruit, cassis, lavender and charred American oak. It is perfect for a $26, 2014, Sonoma Cab. It is not, however, a blockbuster or anything age-worthy. Drink it in the next 2-3 years to make room for better options.
Consumed over 2 days. On day 1 it was a traditional above average fruity cali cab (considering the purchase price). On day 2 the wine had become decidedly non-descript. This is not what you would expect from a wine that was highly rated by professionals. Not clear why RP was rating an average wine at 97? I could not find a WS rating on the 2014. In my view there is no reason to go out of your way and seek this one out. Oh well, passage of time and a bit of hindsight makes rating wine much easier. 89-90
Popped and poured...fruit forward and ready to go from the start on this night...luscious dark red fruit with just a touch of minerality...smooth finish.
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About a year since originally tasted, while I like it I thought it might close down just a bit. Actually just the opposite. A huge, rich, big oak wine. if you like this big style, which I do, it's excellent.
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Tasting, brief note. Rich black fruit that couldn’t be mistaken for anything other than entry level Cali Cab. Easy, fun, simple, even if warm and slightly flabby.
A really pleasing wine, right out of the gate. Rich, strong, very primary flavors of sweet plum on the nose, with a hint of leather. Heavy body with tons of rich fruit and only very mild tannins. A nice, above average acidity makes up for that at first, with a bit of dark, dry chocolate on the long, slightly hot finish. "Young port" kept crossing my mind...
The structure falls apart and the wine becomes a little hot and quite flabby later on in the evening.
This wine is still an above average, fruity, early drinker - plan ahead!
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I agree with a previous review, I didn't get the 97 rating by a certain reviewer. That said, this wine was very enjoyable, even surprising given the price point. Deep, velvety, tones of juicy black currant and vanilla, with lovely tannins. A keeper.
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Consumed two bottles at different events we hosted. Generally enjoyed by all, with a bit more depth of fruit and more structure than other crowd pleasing wines that we open for parties. These held up for hours and drank well on day two, a promising sign. A good value at $25-$30. I didn't have the 97 point RP experience, but maybe I will be surprised by how these improve over time.
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Same as previous notes: Still very young and really really fruit forward. Not quite a fruit bomb, but in that ballpark. Hoping that more complexity and layers develop with time. But drinking well now. Paired perfectly with a flat iron steak with red wine reduction sauce.
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This is the holy grail of '14 California Cabs...just kidding! It's sappy, ripe, sweet, round, and in need of some acidic lift. Nonetheless, my non wine guests loved this with filet mignon, and I admit that it did complement the steaks. Two bottles left of this.
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Dark garnet, opaque; plum, black cherry, bell pepper, and smoke nose; cherry palate; smooth and consistent from start to finish; smooth tannins; medium finish
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Very nice blueberry, vanilla with some forest on nose. Smooth mild tannin dark berry with some earthiness on palate. I’m buying the hype for now. Great with strip, Brussels and baked potato! Look forward to more, great value.
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Big, rich, and smooth on night 1. Classic cab, cassis and dark fruit. Day 2.....what a let down. Closed, loss of richness, fruit muted. Will try another bottle in a year or so. Not bad for the price but not sure where WA 97 is coming from.... Day 3- wow where did this come from??? Dark fruit, cocoa, silk, rich....this needs time and if you open now, decant and give it air. 94 on day 3.
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Had 2 more bottles (with decanting) since my first review, when I gave it 94 points. Still like it, but not as much. I give it 91 points now.
It's smooth and tasty with nice nice dark fruit notes, but falls a bit short in terms of complexity. Moreover, the finish doesn't seem as long as in the first bottle I had. While it might improve with additional cellaring, I now doubt that it'll ever come close to Parker's near-perfect 97 points rating.
Well worth $30, but not the super wine bargain that I had hoped it would be.
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Consistent with prior note. This is an enjoyable bottle with dark berry fruit and nice balance of tannin and oak. In a forward brute force style, but sometimes you are in the mode. Great for the price point.
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At the moment it tastes like a decent 3rd growth bordeaux wine in a not-so-good year which costs $60~80. Also with pronounced mocha colours. If only the alcohol would blow away more quickly...
For the price, though, it is excellent.
Edit: after 2h in the glass, the alcohol has subsided and the wine has become quite enjoyable. Final score is 91.
Deep and dark purplish red. Layered nose with cocoa leaves, tobacco, and some dark dusty berries. Medium plus tannins (6.5/10) and medium plus to almost full bodied. Dark palate with black cherries, black currants, coconut, vanilla and a touch herbaceous in the medium plus to long finish. Drink till 2028. (91+)
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Mike says they should drink good for 15 more years or 2032 but after 2hr decant, I have my doubts. Tannins are subtle and wine is very balanced now- fruit, acidity and tannins all there. Nose needs longer to open up. I just get some of the subtle French oak on the nose after about 2 hours. No doubt a great cab, but 97? Lets give it time. Held up nicely into day number 2 with similar notes.
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A nice well done Cali style cab with concentrated berry and cassis flavors along with a chocolate finish with sweet tannins. This scratches an itch from time to time without breaking the bank. The RP97 is a ridiculous score and while this is good, nothing like those expectations.
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Decanted with vinturri and drank over a period of about two hours. Nice bouquet, but typical of California Cab in the $30 plus price range. Big black and red fruit but quite alcoholic and monolithic. I've been tasting and judging young wines for a long time and maybe this will develop into a better than average wine in the next five years, but I just don't see that it has the "right stuff".
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97? Often RP is spot on and JL is a little harsh. But I dunno if RP standardises all his tastings as WS claims it does. It has nothing to do with being blind as I believe in the integrity of the man, but tasting in different situations and environments can lead to wildly different standards: this is the basis of bias, even when unintentional in science. Although palate preference is not science there is something off here with 97 and I think he should re-visit and re-taste just to verify. Maybe he got some otherworldly bottle variation, but this is faaaaaaarrrrrrr from any other 97 he has scored according to what I experienced. Don't get me wrong, really nice bottle and everyone at the table enjoyed with and without food. Decent balance for the power but doesn't hit all the classic elements a 97 should earn in a long shot. I gave 90 and maybe that was biased and would have given 92 (according to his standards) that would make it a good QPR, but sometimes an unreasonable high score hurts expectations. I just couldn't get over the difference between the "classic" expectation and the reality in front of me.
Decided to revisit in light of some recent positive CT notes. Similar thoughts as the last bottle. Dark red and black fruit - dark cherry, blackberry, and currants. Smooth mid-palate with decent depth for the price point but once again it lacks the depth/complexity and overall character for what I expect from a 97 rated wine. Solid finish but not overly long nor deep and a little sweet. Decanted for two hours and drank over another three. Improved a little with time. Drank next to a 2013 Kamen cab which Parker rated 96 points and I thought the Kamen was quite a bit better - bigger/fuller fruit, more flavorful, longer/deeper finish, etc.. Maybe the Louis Martini will benefit from some additional time in consideration of its youth, however, I personally don't see the structure for a lot of improvement going forward but I could be wrong. Going to lay the other bottles down for another 6 months or so hoping for Parker's 97 rating.
Oh boy, Parker is spot on. Still young, but it's a Tom Brady in college, awaiting to enter rarified air. Tannic, complex and depth. A beautiful Alexander Valley cab. 94+++
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I tried it because I saw parker gave it a 97 and was pleased to see lws has a large stock for cheap. Robe is dark purple, nose black cherry, red cherry, blueberry, blackberry,minerals, herbs. In the mouth its smooth and enjoyable, a bit sweet, but in my mind its equivalent to every other high quality~30 cab out there. I would just as soon drink BV Rutherford, Conn Creek Anthology or Hilary Goldschmidt Charming Creek, as they are all similar quality for 25-30. I'll buy some more but this is not playing the same game as Realm, Hundred Acre, Harlan, Fait Main, etc... who have real 97+ wines from RP.
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A lesson in expectations. If this wine were not rated at all and sold for $20 something, we'd all say decent QPR, 90 ish. Instead we expect an "outstanding" wine and some let the score rule their thoughts, others realize it does not match other wines rated as high and crush it with a 73. For me it's a good QPR. 90.
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Finally got to drink this years version of the 2013 Clos Du Val Cabernet. It started well as this was the darkest ruby color of any wine under $40 that I can remember. It also had nice aromatics with a big nose with no detectable heat.
That's pretty much where the compliments end. Only got to decant this 45 minutes and I am sure it could have used more time. On the palate I got black cherry, plum, cedar, and smoke. It was fairly smooth with a decent mid plate but unlike others for me this had a fairly short finish. The biggest complaint about this wine which I find repeated over and over in everyone's CT notes is no depth or complexity. I had the same experience. Am I shocked that a $30 wine had no depth or complexity? NO!!! I am shocked when I find a wine under $50 with those traits.
I am typically not looking for that in the sub $30 market. Is it tasty and is it fairly smooth?. That is probably a yes for this wine.
I drank A LOT of Louis Martini wine when I first started drinking wine. Parker once said, "The 2010 and 2011 Louis Martini Sonoma county is the best $17 bottle in the world". I agreed with him at the time and have always thought as a producer Louis Martini gives good bang for the buck.
I have only ranked a few wines above 96 points and they were all over $200. They were all from stellar vineyards with top winemakers that produce wine in a meticulous fashion which is another way of saying EXPENSIVE!
To think that we can find a mass produced generic wine that is above a 95 is an exercise in futility. It is fun though to search for the Holy Grail!
Drank over three days. Really lost any sort of depth or punch by day 3. Really flat and one dimensional by the end. Does not bode well for long term aging.
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Really nice nose of lead pencil and currant. Not as sweet in the mouth as the last bottle about 3 months ago. A little more balanced; typical Cabernet profile. This is drinking very well right now and does not come across as tannic. The question is how is this going to age
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Very purple in color, but the wine wasn't as heavy as it looked. Big aromatics...maple syrup, caramelized brown sugar, blueberry jam, faint smell of smoked meat. Very "pure" front and mid palate...nothing was overbearing or dominant one way or the other. Silky texture, rush of blue and black fruits, earthiness, toasted oak and milk chocolate. Very Napa cab-esque. Could see how some would think it was too extracted, but it doesn't touch a Caymus 40 in that category. At $34/bottle, this is a show stopper. Not worthy of 97pts from Parker, but probably the best sub $40 bottle of wine I've come across from Cali.
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Consumed in a casual setting. Seemed to be an easily accessible wine, with ripe plush flavors moving towards dark berry, mixed with prominent oak and vanilla. A crowd pleasing cab. Not sure where the 97pts come from but it's a decent enough drink.
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On back patio with Gary and Nicol. The controversial wine of the night, primarily because of the Parker rating. The others found it much better than me. I get it, but to me this wine is overly "manufactured". It hits all the notes for a pop and poured wine you don't think much about, but it lacks any depth and complexity. It tastes good, but is completely uninteresting. A wine to drink, but not one to contemplate.
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A goopy, fruit drenched tsunami (or maybe, a tsunami of goopy drenched fruit)...(whatever)...with abusive oak (as in three medium sized forests), which imparts the equivalent flavor of an entire vanilla bean plantation, and atomic, IN-YOUR-FACE!!! alcohol. The medium acid and light tannin do not stand a chance against all the fruit, lumber, and alcohol. Parkerized to the nth degree. I will resist the temptation to find a soapbox, and write no more.
Very ripe, low acidity, very rich, port like. Tastes a bit like Robitussin cough syrup atop of vanilla ice-cream. Some-what disgusting. I knew we were in trouble from the nose onwards. Even a friend who owns a California winery also looked at me with quite the horrified expression when smelling. We knew this was not for us. While it's smooth and velvety, possibly balanced, there is just a hint of minerality in the mid palate that peaks through that provides a glimmer of hope something may become of this wine with some age. Even after a few hours of air, we were not having it. While it certainly will improve with some time in the cellar, will it become outstanding with time? Possibly, but in the meanwhile, this is just an uber ripe, over oaked, uninteresting wine for me... to say the least.
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Great cab and even better considering its $30 price. Deep rich notes on the nose of jam, prunes, raisins. On the palate multiple layers of berries, cocoa and tobacco. Long finish great mouth feel. The wine has not reached its potential.
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Let decant in the glass for about 30 minutes then drank over the next hour. Deep garnet to purple in color. Strong nose of plum, blackberry, oak, cedar and alcohol. Pretty fruit forward and sweet on the entry but not jammy at all. Has some additional earth and herbal notes as well as faint licorice, chocolate and cola notes. Pretty stiff tannins and medium acidity. Long dry finish. Damn good for $30 and I can see this gaining a point or two with a few more years in the cellar. Higher rating if factoring in price.
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Still very young and really really fruit forward. Not quite a fruit bomb, but in that ballpark. Hoping that more complexity and layers develop with time.
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Given the price of around $30/bottle, I had to try this wine after I saw its 97 points rating from WINE ADVOCATE'S Robert Parker.
Like others, I doubted it could live up to his billing.
As an aside, I find tasting notes to often be amusing. The more detailed they are, the less consistency one sees. I remember reading 3 separate reviews from professional wine critics for a white wine a few years ago. All 3 critics gave it the same outstanding 90 points rating. However, all 3 taste descriptions were totally different. Not slightly different, but totally different. Drinking that wine, what flavors would you then expect: Those of the 1st critic...those of the 2nd critic...those of the 3rd critic...or ones unique to you?
Maybe my palate is not as sophisticated as theirs but, at least, it's not confusing. I know what I like...and I know what I don't like.
With respect to the LOUIS MARTINI 2014 ALEXANDER VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON, I decanted it, let it air out for 1 1/2 hours, and put it in the refrigerator for the last 15 minutes to serve at cellar temperature.
My impressions: It has a deep ruby color and appealing dark fruit nose. No sediment visible. On the palate. it is medium-bodied and quite smooth. It has tasty blue and dark fruit flavors that mesh seamlessly. I like the fact that those fruit flavors come through without it being a "fruit bomb". The oak is noticeable but not overbearing. The finish is fairly long.
I give it a solid 94 points. As it ages and its few rough edges smooth out, I think it could be a 96 to 98 points wine in the future.
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This is a very good wine for under $30. My score reflects that. It's got very big fruit up front and some heat. It certainly needs time to show its full potential. However, I do not believe that it will be a 97 point wine as it was rated professionally. I'll wait 5 years and reevaluate my last bottle at that point.
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Definitely has a wonderful nose and palate but was laking a bit on body and structure a bit which is why I can't see the 97pt score. It kept coming across a bit thin bodied. Finish was medium. Overall a great value for the price though.
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Opaque Ruby in the glass that is nice for a cab Oak on the nose, black fruit and opening with cassis Tight after using Avanti aerator but smooth with Fontana cheese Slight spices with Port Salut cheese Blends well with high end pepperoni, brings out the spices in the wine. Loius is known as an Italian style from Napa so it pairs really nice Good value below $30 Stick with Italian styles of food to pair with this wine
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Let me lead with my three conclusions, given that there has been - and will be - a lot said about this wine: (1) this is, and will be for several years, a solid wine on the savory end of the spectrum; (2) this presents a serious value in an otherwise bleak section of the northern CA market (i.e., the sub-$50 cabernet); and (3) this is not, and never will be, a 97-point wine.
Onto the traditional note: This solid Cabernet delivers layers of fruit in a savory, somewhat rustic, package. Dark red in color, medium in body, nose of black cherry, olive, and herbs. Tastes of blueberry, dark chocolate, espresso, and cedar, with a little thinness in the mid-palate as well as a chalky and tannic finish (befitting a wine so young). 14.9% alcohol. Blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petite Sirah. Better on second day: a little lighter, a littler purer cherry taste. I'm going to wait another year or two in order to drink my other bottle.
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Needed about an hour to work it's way out of the bottle. Seriously surprising cabernet for under $30 -- Opaque red-garnet. Nose shows dark cherry, plum, a hint of herbes de provence, and a hint of vegetal. Velvety in the mouth -- the mouthfeel is really nice. Again, dark cherry, cassis, cedar, spice, and a slightly more pronounced vegetal note (like fresh green pepper) and a hint of leather. Tannins are present, but not over-pronounced. Balance is 5/5, really nice right now.
Could it age? I suppose so (say through 2027), but it's really tempting to drink right now.
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Easter at my parents and my father decided to open a couple older/more mature bottles: 1990 Caymus Special Select, 1998 Opus One, 2014 Barnett Rattlesnake, 2010 Paul Hobbs Beckstoffer Dr Crane, and 2014 Louis Martini Alexander Valley.
Similar notes as a couple weeks ago. When you put this wine against a 2014 Barnett Rattlesnake cab and 2010 Paul Hobbs Beckstoffer Dr Crane, you realize how silly it is that Parker rated this wine 97 points - nowhere near the depth and quality of fruit. Nonetheless, still a solid bottle for $25.
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Dark and rich. Only 2% petite sirah but it really comes through on both the nose and initial attack on the palate. This could improve with time but it is quite tasty now and will likely close down for a while in a year or two. The wait may be worth it.
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I was all ready to drink this with a very critical view as I was convinced that no wine of this price/production range could be as good as the 97 pt rating. My very first smell and sip completely changed my mind. I was blown away by this bottle and although I know tastes vary I don't see how anyone could taste this and think it is 'average'. Deep bouquet of espresso and black fruits. Intense palate impact with abundant coffee/espresso notes and dark fruit. I typically don't pay attention to glycerin levels but this was the highest I've ever seen and it came across as super rich. With time the tannins became noticeable but were mostly concealed behind the richness of the fruit. The question is what will this turn into with some bottle age but right now this to me is a special wine. 96+
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This wine is black red and opaque. A complex and inviting mix of flavors including black raspberry, tar, tobacco, and oak. This wine has some octane to it and would benefit from some aging. It is dry and smooth with cherry and wood notes and good tannin. It was a little sweeter than expected, but an excellent wine.
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Maybe not a 97 pointer, but I'm really glad I snagged a half dozen of these. Clean floral nose with a little licorice. Glycerin smooth palate with mixed red and blue fruits paired to a mocha/graphite finish. Doesn't have that Napa snap but it is a Sonoma wine. Very nice. Great balance and long finish. The 2013 clos due Val was lasts years bargain cab. This wine is the solid 2014 winner IMHO. CHEERS!
Don't see this as a 97 especially for Parker. Solid 92+ at this point. Unfair to drink so young. Like a finely tailored English suit everything is exactly where it should be. Dark color, dark fruit black cherry and more. High alcohol evident, glycerine legs I couldn't believe. A little lighter than a Napa big boy cab though pure with a nice finish. Really deserves some time. Already enjoyed most 2 of our 3 bottles.
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OK, so I'd have to say that I absolutely agree that this falls short of 97 points, but hey, I'm not RP, and I love the fact that an AV wine garnered so much love from the master! That said, I have to be true to all my ratings and this wine, imho, is a solid 90 in my book, but oh so worth it in terms of value. For those new to wine experiences, BUY some. You won't regret it. Read the reviews posted, all good perspectives.
The wine appeared mid-weight when first opened and gained weight through the evening. Tannins are grippy with balanced acidity. Some smokiness on the nose, red and black fruit, with a solidly medium finish. Very nice effort.
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Not quite a 97-pointer, but it's an excellent steak wine at a great price -under $26. Rich, full-bodied, gobs of sweet fruit - my kind of cab. Liked the first bottle so much that I went back and bought another six-pack today. Now, 10 days later, I stumbled on it again at another store for the shocking price of $14.07 a bottle, and so i bought another six-pack. Have three now, but at $14 per, it's pretty hard not to go back and get some more, which I probably will
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Ok, finally found the infamous 97ptr from RP, and all of $24! To be honest, I've been drinking a few of the 13 to get ready for the 14, and found them very enjoyable in that price point. On to the 14. Definitely richer and darker than the 13...don't know if there was Petite Sirah in the 13, but seems to show in the 14. Liqueured berry fruits...cherry, raspberry, plum, currants...sweet and full bodied, but not too so. Not as dry with graphite as I usually like, but definitely not overtly sweet. Really like the smoked cherry wood, and earth mulch...dried tobacco leaf, licorice and cedar spice. Firm structure, but more accessible tannins then the big boys at this stage. Seems to have the fruit and stuffing to age for a decade or so? I find this wine very tasty and correct in young Ca. Cab Sauv...a grab-n-grill some steaks on a tues kind of wine...especially at this price! A case buy all day long...but really don't get the score? Maybe Parker's touché to Galloni's 13 Clos du Val? Don't know...but I do know this is good juice for $24-35!
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Decent for the price point. 97 Parker makes absolutely no sense. A bit jammy, faint tannins, unimpressive fruit. Drank over the course of 4 hours. Improved some.
So I came back to it on day two, it probably gained a point or two. Next time i'll give it a full day decanting
Decided to revisit another bottle over two days to make sure that I'm not missing something. Similar thoughts as the last bottle. Once again, it's a nice bottle for $25 but I don't get the 97 rating from Parker. A little fuller fruit on day two but still not overly deep nor complex. Fairly rich and a little sweet. 90 on day one and 91 on day two.
Agree on all points with Bad Monkey's review. A good, solid bottle of Alexander Valley cabernet - smooth, well-balanced, tasty - but far short of 97 pts. Its a solid 91-92 pts IMO, but nothing more. For $25 or $30 its a nice wine to have in the stable, but not an amazing wine, nor an amazing deal. It lacks depth and nuance that takes similar wines to higher levels. Grab some if you can for less than $30, but do not feel that you are missing out if you don't or can't.
For the money, I've enjoyed the Louis Martini napa cab - it usually over-achieves for the price point in my opinion. However, I was a little surprised to hear that Parker rated the 2014 Louis Martini Alexander Valley cab 97 points so I had to give it a shot. Drank this bottle over two days. Dark red fruit with a touch of black - dark cherry, currants, and a little blackberry. Day 1, smooth mid-palate but not much depth especially for such a rating (medium body). Easy drinking. Solid finish but not overly long nor deep. Day 2, the fruit filled-out a little more and in light of day two I believe this vintage should lay down a little longer which is no surprise in light of its youth. In all, a nice bottle for $25 (one of the better $25 bottles of cab that I've had in light of day two); however, I'm a little perplexed by Parker's 97 rating - it lacks the depth, complexity, and overall character for such a rating in my opinion. Nonetheless, a solid QPR at $25. 98% cab and 2% petite sirah.
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3/29/2024 - Wine Lover 1964 Likes this wine: 93 Points
This one has to be at its peak now hitting on all cylinders after 1 hour decant. Excellent wine
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12/20/2023 - gfavarato wrote: 95 Points
Ditto from my last note! But even better now!
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9/10/2023 - gfavarato wrote: 93 Points
RP 97 was spot on, it’s getting there.
Still not showing any signs of aging.
Agree with other posters on the flavor.
Wow! glad I grabbed plenty.
Sometimes bob is right. Enjoy!
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9/2/2023 - Odedis.Wine.reviews Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim. Not showing age at all.
Fruity nose with blackberries, blueberries, black currants, cedar, vanilla, tobacco, leather, coffee, light bell pepper, chocolates, black pepper and spices.
Full bodied and elegant with medium acidity and long legs.
Dry and fruity on the palate with blackberries, plums, cherries, oak, vanilla, licorice, spices, chocolates, tobacco, earth and peppercorn.
Long spicy finish with medium plus tannins and tangy cherries.
This is a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley. Rich and elegant.
Showing nice complexity and a great mouthfeel.
This is a great surprise. I usually don't love the Sonoma Valley one as much as their Napa Valley version, but this is so yummy.
Drinks very nicely right out of the bottle, and better after 30 minutes of airtime.
Peaking now, and will continue to drink nicely in the next 3 years.
Easy drinking, good by itself and good with food.
Robert Parker 97 points.
A blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petite Sirah. Aged for 16 months in (50% new) French and American Oak barrels.
14.9% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$80.
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8/28/2023 - stschutz Likes this wine: 93 Points
Believe it. This is an incredibly well-built wine that is aging slowly and gracefully into a beautifully balanced wine that will last another 10 plus years in bottle. Nice acidity, soft balance and a wonderful mouthfeel with the pork chops, mashed potatos, and buttered-garlic green beans tonight with Katie and Tim.
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8/2/2023 - Bill B. Likes this wine: 95 Points
This is a remarkable wine in all ways, body, balance, deep flavors. I am regretting not buying a case. This has years to go.
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7/26/2023 - cobbpa wrote: 88 Points
Broad. Big black & red fruits on the nose. Plenty of underbrush; reminded me of brambly Zin fruit. Med+ acid & tannin, though I would have liked even greater presence to support to body. Tasty on its own & worked with a steak.
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4/27/2023 - PITT Wine Guy Likes this wine: 90 Points
2014 Louis M. Martini Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County
Cellared since release.
Enjoyed on April 26, 2023.
30 minute decant for aeration. Minimal sediment.
Deep ruby in color, with juice staining the glass.
The nose was stubborn and consisted of black fruit without noticeable tertiary development.
The action in this fruit driven wine was all up front. The wine was medium to full bodied red and black fruit, with moderate tannins which were not obtrusive. There was a notable overall sense of freshness and balance to the wine.
The wine was pleasant to drink with Italian food, but there was limited complexity and a short finish.
I would wait 2-3 years to try the next one hoping for more development.
90 points.
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4/9/2023 - cincybt Likes this wine: 91 Points
I bought this wine for $24 many moons ago. It was rated highly by WS but for some reason I wrote it off. It’s delicious these 9 yrs later. Black raspberry, slightly burnt waffle, half n half, with a peach & toffee finish. Just a stunner given low price point. Cellaring is a roulette but this came up double 6’s. A finish that won’t stop.
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1/14/2023 - daveyk39 wrote: 93 Points
This has been an interesting wine to watch in the Tasting Notes section while I tried to remain patient. From initial excitement to a period of concern and disappointment, the timing started to seem right to open one and see where we are...and it does not disappoint.
Gave 2h air. Deep ruby color. Slightly shy aromas of raspberry, dust, dark chocolate, and jalapeno. Creamy and smooth, full-bodied. Chalky tannins add a frame for intense raspberry, fig and baking spice on the palate. While robust, retains an elegance about it. A slight medicinal quality in the finish is the one off note.
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11/5/2022 - devraj Likes this wine: 91 Points
Delicious- still showing excellent structure, dark cassis, olive paste, graphite. Superb QPR.
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10/19/2022 - smcisaac Likes this wine: 95 Points
Fantastic paired with a grilled steak
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9/25/2022 - Jerseyjudge Likes this wine: 93 Points
One hour decant. Dark red fruit with tobacco and floral notes and hints of fruitcake on the palate. Very smooth and pairing easily with food in general. Easy drinking in the best way.
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5/30/2022 - vino777 wrote: 90 Points
Drinking very well. Pnp and very enjoyable - in a good place right now. Might have too seek out some more
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5/4/2022 - DnL Cellars Likes this wine: 95 Points
Punches well above its weight class. Pop and pour, has beautiful depth and flavor. Will add notes if necessary on night two. Happy to have more of these, plenty of time left but singing now
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4/2/2022 - Zoomin Z Likes this wine: 93 Points
Definitely has improved with age and is in a perfect drinking window right now. Plums and leather persist on the nose. A very rich fruit forward body that does not fall apart on a long finish. I taste some tobacco, ever so slightly smoky on the finish, even hours after opening the wine...
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2/7/2022 - KaupCava Likes this wine: 90 Points
Dark fruity nose, lacking the complexity of 7 mo ago. Very tight with dark berry fruit and vegetal tones, just a hint of vanilla May be going thru a dumb phase or perhaps bottle variation. Still decent, just not spectacular
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11/6/2021 - tjtrot Likes this wine: 93 Points
Classic cabernet with moderate bouquet of vanilla and dark fruit. Medium full on the palate with blueberry, blackberry and rich vanilla overtones. Moderate tannins and a smooth flavorful finish. This held up well over three days of drinking.
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7/26/2021 - KaupCava Likes this wine: 95 Points
Fabulous nose of vanilla, menthol and dark fruit
Classic cassis fruit predominates, along with vanilla, cranberry, chocolate and hint of vegetal flavor
Great fruit and balanced to soft at this point
Lingering finish
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7/15/2021 - timbobwhite Likes this wine: 92 Points
Two hour decant, very little sediment. Louis' little boy is all grown up. This bottle showed well. Fruit forward nose, good flavors and nice, long finish. Acid and tannins both present in good measure. These will be good for another five or more years.
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3/27/2021 - no oak Likes this wine: 92 Points
The wine is deep and dark in color, which made me think that we were going to be treated to a terrific cab. Tasted immediately upon pouring, the wine was a full bodied fruit bomb with a cherry finish, but the nose was a bit tight. The wine did NOT improve after 2 hours of decanting and both nose and palate became more muted over time. A good wine for sure, but IMHO, it is not even close to the WA 97 score it received.
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3/18/2021 - Hi.its.Don.4.Wine Likes this wine: 94 Points
Martini - Not the Cocktail
An early pioneer of winemaking in Napa Valley California, Louis Martini began in the early 1900s and would go on to be a legend in the wine business; more recently their 2013 Lot No. 1 Cabernet Sauvignon receiving a 100 Point score from a prominent publication.
Unfortunately, I’m not reviewing that wine; I am reviewing their
Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley 2014
This wine was first sought after by yours truly four years ago right after gaining a stellar 97 Point review from the same reviewer as their Lot 1. Of particular note was that the Alexander Valley Cab sells for a fraction of Lot 1; how perfect is that?
The wine made from 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petite Sirah was aged 16 months in 50% new French and American casks and comes in at an alcohol content of 14.9%. I tried the wine back when I first purchased it and while it presented itself wonderfully, I felt that my review, and subsequent score, might be a tad less than 97.
Having the benefit of several more years in bottle, I would be more than willing to add a notch or two above my earlier score. The effects of those years adding to a softer, but no less, lush wine encompassing dark black fruit with undertones of oak with a gentle but noticeable grip to it. The tannins fall into line and help create a soft and pleasurable finish.
A somewhat unorthodox meal to go with the wine, I prepared Blackened Halibut with Black Beans and Corn over Rice; it turned out to be a wonderful combination.
Since their early history, Martini has continued to innovate and move forward; having since been acquired by Gallo. Under the watchful eye of their winemaker, Michael Eddy, they have continued to strive to produce world-class wines, but no martini cocktails on the horizon that I can tell.
Cheers
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3/6/2021 - timbobwhite Likes this wine: 91 Points
2-1/2 double decant. Little sediment. Opaque to deep red/purple edge. Port-like nose with notes of cherry, cassis and blackberry. Initial taste of cherry cough syrup. Notes of spice later. A bit of a 'fruit bomb', not a negative, but intense fruity flavors and a certain 'jammy thickness.' Long, lingering finish. Drinking well now, will hold for some time to come.
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3/2/2021 - fitchbuck Likes this wine: 92 Points
Over 3 nights. Classic, down-the-middle new world cab. Certainly no complaints that it doesn't try to be more than it is. Reminiscent of the Quilceda CVR. In it's sweet spot, drink now.
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2/22/2021 - CabIPA Likes this wine:
Great QPR! Drinking well at the moment on a PnP! Paired with a seasoned tri tip. If a glass makes it to tomorrow I’d be interested to see how it evolves. That’s a big IF...the wife is enjoying the bottle as well.
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2/3/2021 - hanasowner wrote: 86 Points
Popped and poured...not as good as previous bottles...red fruit, though a bit austere and not as smooth on the finish as previous bottles...last one.
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1/4/2021 - smcisaac Likes this wine: 95 Points
A beautiful example of Sonoma Cab. Much better than in my comment of two years ago. The additional age has really brought it into its own, as I had hoped.
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11/1/2020 - devraj Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very dark purple in color. Aggressive aromas of black raspberries, cassis, smoky herbs, graphite and cedar. A full bodied palate follows through with jammy blue and black berries, hint of bbq smoke, hint of licorice, olive paste, medium acidity, fine tannins, oak still present and a long finish. This is getting even better with age and is a great QPR wine.
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9/23/2020 - Justinwine wrote: 90 Points
I LIKED THIS WINE. NOT SPECIAL, JUST A GOOD CAB.
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8/1/2020 - pdbender Likes this wine: 92 Points
Totally integrated and full of life- beautiful structure and balance! Outstanding brilliant color with a gorgeous black cherry nose that is overwhelming. Perfect example of an mature Alexander Valley cabernet. Lots of spice and character, this wine has it all! Really wish I had a case of this one stashed away in the cellar.
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7/1/2020 - AdmiralE wrote:
Really from Sonoma County. Value about $18.
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5/8/2020 - devraj Likes this wine: 91 Points
Deep purple-red in color. Effusive aromas of candied black raspberries, graphite, hint of cedar and smoky herbs. A full bodied palate shows rich/ripe dark berry jam, hint of licorice, charcoal, medium (-) acidity, fine grainy tannins and a long sweet and fruity finish.
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5/1/2020 - Sanlucar Likes this wine: 92 Points
Was Mr. Robert Parker smoking Crack cocaine when he gave this wine 97 points?! This is no doubt a good Alexander Valley Cabernet, maybe even better than most others, but 97 points?! Are you (bleeping) kidding me?! Mr. Parker, please put down the crack pipe and get back in touch with reality.
Unlike Mr. Parker, I did not experience near euphoria in this bottle of wine. Rather, I found a very decent wine for the money ($30) and some pleasant notes of cassis berries, ripe strawberries, roasted nuts, a healthy dose of oak, some fermented grape leaves, and mild tannins. And the nose was particularly impressive, fruitcake and tar. Parker's drink-date was by 2036, which is as ridiculous as his hyperbolic score... drink it now!
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4/18/2020 - lemerick Does not like this wine: 88 Points
Heavy handed. There's fruit in there, but it's hard to find through all the oak. Those poor grapes are just getting slapped around.
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3/27/2020 - travelculture wrote: 93 Points
Very good wine and ready to drink. Does not need a decant. Medium to full bodied and tannins well balanced. Not over-extracted like many - elegant but flavorful.
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2/8/2020 - redhead6971 Likes this wine: 93 Points
PNP,this bottle munch better than the last with better structure and finish lots more black berry and currant and black cherry and solid mid palate. Bottle variance strikes again. 93+ but definitely not a 97.
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2/8/2020 - ogres3 Likes this wine: 91 Points
A bit surprised at the depth and richness of the wine. Gave it some air. Quite full-bodied. Average nose. Very nice chewy purple fruit. A finish that you want to pause and enjoy.
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2/6/2020 - Coupe 60 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Only had a small taste after a PnP. Dark fruit , cassis. Fairly full bodied. Nice long finish. Drinking well now.
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2/5/2020 - djn63 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Great finish. Lovely wine. Just explodes in the mouth and lingers. Drinking well
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1/7/2020 - ogres3 Likes this wine: 91 Points
First crack at this wine. Not much of a nose. On the front end, very subdued. As it flows over the tongue, becomes a very smooth rich wine with pleasant dark fruit. Decent finish.
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11/19/2019 - Sniffy-Sniff Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drinking great with short decant. Punches way above its weight. Wish I would have bought more.
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11/19/2019 - Minodim Likes this wine: 96 Points
Just delicious!!!
I wish I had bought 10 cases for this price
Need to be open 2 hours before but a great wine for this price
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10/24/2019 - Justinwine wrote: 91 Points
Had one a few years ago and it was tight and tart. This bottle was delicious with brilliant berry fruit.
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10/19/2019 - timbobwhite wrote:
89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot and the rest Petite Sirah, Cabernet Franc and other varieties. PNP. Heavy, port-like nose of dark red fruit. Some bacon/meat. Good balance and long finish. RP-97? Not so much. Will keep, good if you like this sort of thing.
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10/6/2019 - Eantnay Likes this wine: 94 Points
PnP with prime strip steak. Absolutely beautiful right now. Rich color, lovely & complex aromas leaping out of the glass, silky mouthfeel and polished tannin. Reminded me more of a Rutherford Napa wine than an Alexander Valley Sonoma. Great value at $30. This was the first of the 3 bottles I bought. Glad I have two more.
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9/25/2019 - cork breath Likes this wine: 95 Points
Outstanding. Full flavor. Rich. Long finish. Big Cali Cab. Wish I had more. Lots of time left.
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9/2/2019 - devraj Likes this wine: 90 Points
Deep reddish purple in color. No heat on this one, but nose and palate impact were decidedly on the ripe and oaky style. I thought the first bottle I opened a while ago was better. There is a lot of cedary and smoky accents to the ripe black and blue fruits along with graphite on a long oaky and dark olive paste finish.
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7/17/2019 - kend707 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very pleasant, with strong black fruit flavors and considerable tannins. Several years remaining here.
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6/10/2019 - Scottlmatthews Likes this wine: 92 Points
Had with bbq with friends. Very good Sonoma red.
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5/18/2019 - appleforest wrote: 91 Points
Opened and poured. Seems entirely ready to drink, and I do not see it as declining -- but I see no reason to wait. It did open up in the glass a bit, so were I opening another bottle would decant 30 minutes if convenient.
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5/3/2019 - cork breath Likes this wine: 90 Points
I agree with others. Good but not up to the hype. It was better on day 2.
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2/2/2019 - WineDr. wrote: 91 Points
My second last bottle. Good and better than the previous, but nowhere near 97 points and clearly on the downhill.
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1/23/2019 - redhead6971 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Give a wine under $40 a 97/100 point score by Bob (Parker) and watch it disappear from the shelves in 48 hours, which is exactly what this did in the Wichita market. This is my second of 6 bottles to try the first being nice as I remember but not over whelming. I decided to post the lot number (LAB040816ND) after all there were 11,000 cases or 132,000 bottles of this wine made. I now understand why some wine magazines insist on tasting blind and asking for 6 bottles or so to clear up bottle variance issues. This bottling is one of those circumstances.
Color was dark ruby on the edge and opaque purple in the middle with red tinges. The legs on this I noticed were dead slow. The nose ran rampant with blackberry/blueberry compote, cedar, graphite,loam, black olive and smoke. The palate was dense, still tannic with luscious blackberry fruit and some rough pencil lead graphite up front with vanilla and oak and some rustic forest floor. The finish was tight and clingy. I'm not sensing the heat on this bottles that some others are. Acids are pretty light for this terroir. So I sense that is why some reviewers are sensing it may be on the down hill slide but the huge legs on it gives me pause on that issue. I feel that this is kind of like an attempt at a Silver Oak style of the late 80's and early 90 vintages that had received so much praise but appears to lack the definition and finesse. In my humble opinion, granting any score on a wine above a 95 should be reserved for those special moments when a wine goes beyond its nose, palate and finish and offer that impeccable balance along with smooth grained tannin just singing along like a crescendo of a chorus. Pair with sirloin steak steak, flank steak or aged Manchego cheese. Purchased over 2 days at a local ABC store and Jack's. Best between 2019-2025.
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1/22/2019 - mvande21 wrote: 91 Points
Pnp. Dark purple. Muted nose. Medium-full body. Black cherry, blackcurrants. Structured and slightly tannic. First bottle of a case purchased nearly two years ago for a good price. A bit concerned that others are noting a decline. I'll try again soon.
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1/21/2019 - smcisaac wrote: 92 Points
Okay medium-bodied Cab but nothing memorable, certainly not the breathtaking 97 that one pro reviewer gave it. In a blind test I might have guessed it was a $12 mass production bottle. A little tart when first opened, but flavor improved after about an hour. Somewhat more tannic than fruity or floral; might improve with another year or two in bottle.
Two days later: The wine left over from first opening is now much smoother and better integrated. I doubt that would be true if it were past peak and declining. I have revised my score from 88 initially to 92. My surmise now is that it is still young and coming together. Definitely needs a long decant of you are going to open a bottle now, but it may get even better with longer cellaring.
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1/18/2019 - WineDr. wrote: 89 Points
WINE ADVOCATE gave this wine 97 points in October, 2016, and said it could last 20 years. Sounded like a real bargain for the money.
All my bottles have been stored in a climate-controlled wine cellar. I first tried this wine in May, 2017; it impressed me greatly and I gave it 94 points. Subsequent bottles in November, 2017, were not as impressive (91 points IMHO).
This is my first bottle since then. Decanted and drunk over 2 hours. Good overall, but disappointing nonetheless. I agree with SILENT7706: This wine is definitely on the downhill. While not "over the hill" yet, you can taste its slow demise, and it now throws off lots of sediment. While still fairly tasty per se, the palate is fairly simple and the finish short. Don't know why WINE ADVOCATE gave it 97 points or thought it could last 20 years. I will drink my remaining few bottles in the near future.
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12/31/2018 - silent7706 Does not like this wine: 88 Points
I had over 4 bottles of this wine since 2017. It is definitely on the downhill. Way too hot, and doesn't seem to blend in well. Won't improve.
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12/20/2018 - brickharley Likes this wine: 95 Points
The value for a Cab from Napa. Delicious and an example of an excellent bottle of wine without the outrageous price of most Napa Cabs!
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11/26/2018 - yasha Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very good!
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11/20/2018 - devraj Likes this wine: 91 Points
Dark red with purple highlights. Blackish red and blue small berries, black olives, oak and smoke on the nose. Medium-full bodied with rich and ripe dark black cherries/raspberries preserves, olive tapenade, medium acidity, grippy tannins and a long vanilla and wood perfumed finish. Pretty good value Cab.
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10/31/2018 - hanasowner wrote: 93 Points
Popped and poured...best of the bottles I've opened...dark red fruit with good weight in the mouth...longer finish than past bottles.
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10/14/2018 - Vinomnivore Likes this wine: 89 Points
Perfectly good for the price point-- a smooth drinking cab with some layered fruit a bit of acid. Drank over two days and it kept its structure/balance overnight. Missing something to make it more memorable (mineral or more assertive tannin to balance out the fruit)
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8/16/2018 - wineotim wrote: 91 Points
This was the best of four bottles I bought, had more lift, fruit, and overall personality. Went great with chicken and ribs. Two days to finish, and it didn't change much.
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8/6/2018 - megropolis wrote:
Good cab, but nothing extraordinary at this stage.
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7/13/2018 - Kathrynfore Likes this wine: 85 Points
This was very good, but I think it was over-rated when I bought it over a year ago. I was told it had a pro rating of 97 and was allowed only two bottles, which I purchased. However, although it was, as I said, a good Cab and rich (berry, spice, oak), and it went well with grilled steak, and I think it was a good value at about $30, I just don't think that it was worth 97 points at any time and certainly not now! (It did not significantly change from the time I first opened the bottle until serving it about 45 minutes later to about an hour after that.)
I will wait two years to open the other bottle.
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6/15/2018 - chanote44 Likes this wine: 91 Points
This is a delicious Alexander Valley Cab with loads of black fruit, cassis, lavender and charred American oak. It is perfect for a $26, 2014, Sonoma Cab. It is not, however, a blockbuster or anything age-worthy. Drink it in the next 2-3 years to make room for better options.
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5/16/2018 - hondius wrote: 89 Points
Consumed over 2 days. On day 1 it was a traditional above average fruity cali cab (considering the purchase price). On day 2 the wine had become decidedly non-descript. This is not what you would expect from a wine that was highly rated by professionals. Not clear why RP was rating an average wine at 97? I could not find a WS rating on the 2014. In my view there is no reason to go out of your way and seek this one out. Oh well, passage of time and a bit of hindsight makes rating wine much easier.
89-90
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5/12/2018 - hanasowner wrote: 92 Points
Popped and poured...fruit forward and ready to go from the start on this night...luscious dark red fruit with just a touch of minerality...smooth finish.
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4/5/2018 - Jayhorn Likes this wine: 90 Points
This was delicious.
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3/29/2018 - ChjonesVino Likes this wine: 94 Points
Lovely wine, rich, bold, strong berry, plum, and oak flavor. Slight hot ending, but smooth finish for the acidity and mild tannin?
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3/28/2018 - Quiet Lion Does not like this wine: 88 Points
Monthly Men's Wine Dinner (2120 Restaurant, Seattle): Young, primary, waxy. I didn't like the way this showed at all but the group was more forgiving. My #5 of 5 and the group's tied for #3.
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3/26/2018 - pkatz Likes this wine: 96 Points
About a year since originally tasted, while I like it I thought it might close down just a bit. Actually just the opposite. A huge, rich, big oak wine. if you like this big style, which I do, it's excellent.
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3/26/2018 - wineotim wrote: 90 Points
Similar to first bottle.
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2/24/2018 - Burgundy Al wrote:
Tasting, brief note. Rich black fruit that couldn’t be mistaken for anything other than entry level Cali Cab. Easy, fun, simple, even if warm and slightly flabby.
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2/18/2018 - Zoomin Z Likes this wine: 92 Points
A really pleasing wine, right out of the gate. Rich, strong, very primary flavors of sweet plum on the nose, with a hint of leather. Heavy body with tons of rich fruit and only very mild tannins. A nice, above average acidity makes up for that at first, with a bit of dark, dry chocolate on the long, slightly hot finish. "Young port" kept crossing my mind...
The structure falls apart and the wine becomes a little hot and quite flabby later on in the evening.
This wine is still an above average, fruity, early drinker - plan ahead!
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2/18/2018 - tcarter Likes this wine: 93 Points
Still big red and dark fruit, but finding its balance. Still a long life ahead of it. Great QPR.
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2/5/2018 - oldmanalamo Likes this wine: 93 Points
I agree with a previous review, I didn't get the 97 rating by a certain reviewer. That said, this wine was very enjoyable, even surprising given the price point. Deep, velvety, tones of juicy black currant and vanilla, with lovely tannins. A keeper.
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1/30/2018 - wineotim Likes this wine: 90 Points
This bottle was bought from a different retailer, it seemed less oaky, and more fruit oriented. Brighter with more acid.
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1/3/2018 - Vinomnivore Likes this wine: 91 Points
Consumed two bottles at different events we hosted. Generally enjoyed by all, with a bit more depth of fruit and more structure than other crowd pleasing wines that we open for parties. These held up for hours and drank well on day two, a promising sign. A good value at $25-$30. I didn't have the 97 point RP experience, but maybe I will be surprised by how these improve over time.
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1/2/2018 - tcarter Likes this wine: 92 Points
Same as previous notes: Still very young and really really fruit forward. Not quite a fruit bomb, but in that ballpark. Hoping that more complexity and layers develop with time. But drinking well now. Paired perfectly with a flat iron steak with red wine reduction sauce.
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12/29/2017 - wineotim wrote: 90 Points
This is the holy grail of '14 California Cabs...just kidding! It's sappy, ripe, sweet, round, and in need of some acidic lift. Nonetheless, my non wine guests loved this with filet mignon, and I admit that it did complement the steaks. Two bottles left of this.
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12/17/2017 - Wine Lover 1964 Likes this wine: 91 Points
1hr decant and great day#1. Balanced perfectly. No fall off day #2.
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12/11/2017 - Stephen Rash Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dark garnet, opaque; plum, black cherry, bell pepper, and smoke nose; cherry palate; smooth and consistent from start to finish; smooth tannins; medium finish
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12/9/2017 - kingboo wrote: 94 Points
Was a pnp. Beautiful wine. Rich complexities, well balanced, nicely tannic. Will only improve with time.
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11/26/2017 - ralstenm Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very nice blueberry, vanilla with some forest on nose. Smooth mild tannin dark berry with some earthiness on palate. I’m buying the hype for now. Great with strip, Brussels and baked potato! Look forward to more, great value.
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11/19/2017 - scorrea Likes this wine: 87 Points
Solid red. Too rustic to merit a +90'score. Bit rough around the edges and with a prominent oak signature.
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11/16/2017 - PrinceKyrris wrote: 90 Points
Big, rich, and smooth on night 1. Classic cab, cassis and dark fruit. Day 2.....what a let down. Closed, loss of richness, fruit muted. Will try another bottle in a year or so. Not bad for the price but not sure where WA 97 is coming from....
Day 3- wow where did this come from??? Dark fruit, cocoa, silk, rich....this needs time and if you open now, decant and give it air. 94 on day 3.
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11/13/2017 - WineDr. wrote: 91 Points
Had 2 more bottles (with decanting) since my first review, when I gave it 94 points. Still like it, but not as much. I give it 91 points now.
It's smooth and tasty with nice nice dark fruit notes, but falls a bit short in terms of complexity. Moreover, the finish doesn't seem as long as in the first bottle I had. While it might improve with additional cellaring, I now doubt that it'll ever come close to Parker's near-perfect 97 points rating.
Well worth $30, but not the super wine bargain that I had hoped it would be.
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10/10/2017 - Nutty08 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Consistent with prior note. This is an enjoyable bottle with dark berry fruit and nice balance of tannin and oak. In a forward brute force style, but sometimes you are in the mode. Great for the price point.
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10/1/2017 - Burgundio wrote: 91 Points
At the moment it tastes like a decent 3rd growth bordeaux wine in a not-so-good year which costs $60~80. Also with pronounced mocha colours. If only the alcohol would blow away more quickly...
For the price, though, it is excellent.
Edit: after 2h in the glass, the alcohol has subsided and the wine has become quite enjoyable. Final score is 91.
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9/22/2017 - Millennial Drinkers wrote: 91 Points
Deep and dark purplish red. Layered nose with cocoa leaves, tobacco, and some dark dusty berries. Medium plus tannins (6.5/10) and medium plus to almost full bodied. Dark palate with black cherries, black currants, coconut, vanilla and a touch herbaceous in the medium plus to long finish. Drink till 2028. (91+)
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9/20/2017 - Wine Lover 1964 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Mike says they should drink good for 15 more years or 2032 but after 2hr decant, I have my doubts. Tannins are subtle and wine is very balanced now- fruit, acidity and tannins all there. Nose needs longer to open up. I just get some of the subtle French oak on the nose after about 2 hours. No doubt a great cab, but 97? Lets give it time. Held up nicely into day number 2 with similar notes.
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9/11/2017 - Westplan Likes this wine: 95 Points
Fantastic! Very age worthy.
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9/11/2017 - scorrea Likes this wine: 89 Points
Blackberries, oak. Medium tannins and med low acidity. Good but rustic.
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9/5/2017 - Nutty08 Likes this wine: 92 Points
A nice well done Cali style cab with concentrated berry and cassis flavors along with a chocolate finish with sweet tannins. This scratches an itch from time to time without breaking the bank. The RP97 is a ridiculous score and while this is good, nothing like those expectations.
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8/31/2017 - Jdog wrote: 90 Points
Decanted with vinturri and drank over a period of about two hours. Nice bouquet, but typical of California Cab in the $30 plus price range. Big black and red fruit but quite alcoholic and monolithic. I've been tasting and judging young wines for a long time and maybe this will develop into a better than average wine in the next five years, but I just don't see that it has the "right stuff".
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8/30/2017 - otessler Likes this wine: 90 Points
97? Often RP is spot on and JL is a little harsh. But I dunno if RP standardises all his tastings as WS claims it does. It has nothing to do with being blind as I believe in the integrity of the man, but tasting in different situations and environments can lead to wildly different standards: this is the basis of bias, even when unintentional in science. Although palate preference is not science there is something off here with 97 and I think he should re-visit and re-taste just to verify. Maybe he got some otherworldly bottle variation, but this is faaaaaaarrrrrrr from any other 97 he has scored according to what I experienced. Don't get me wrong, really nice bottle and everyone at the table enjoyed with and without food. Decent balance for the power but doesn't hit all the classic elements a 97 should earn in a long shot. I gave 90 and maybe that was biased and would have given 92 (according to his standards) that would make it a good QPR, but sometimes an unreasonable high score hurts expectations. I just couldn't get over the difference between the "classic" expectation and the reality in front of me.
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8/18/2017 - Badmonkey wrote: 91 Points
Decided to revisit in light of some recent positive CT notes. Similar thoughts as the last bottle. Dark red and black fruit - dark cherry, blackberry, and currants. Smooth mid-palate with decent depth for the price point but once again it lacks the depth/complexity and overall character for what I expect from a 97 rated wine. Solid finish but not overly long nor deep and a little sweet. Decanted for two hours and drank over another three. Improved a little with time. Drank next to a 2013 Kamen cab which Parker rated 96 points and I thought the Kamen was quite a bit better - bigger/fuller fruit, more flavorful, longer/deeper finish, etc.. Maybe the Louis Martini will benefit from some additional time in consideration of its youth, however, I personally don't see the structure for a lot of improvement going forward but I could be wrong. Going to lay the other bottles down for another 6 months or so hoping for Parker's 97 rating.
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8/16/2017 - kingboo wrote: 94 Points
Oh boy, Parker is spot on. Still young, but it's a Tom Brady in college, awaiting to enter rarified air. Tannic, complex and depth. A beautiful Alexander Valley cab. 94+++
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8/12/2017 - Stevenwsims Likes this wine: 95 Points
8 hour decant. This is getting better and better. Starting to see the RP97 coming into view
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8/7/2017 - Shaun Mondavi wrote: 91 Points
I tried it because I saw parker gave it a 97 and was pleased to see lws has a large stock for cheap. Robe is dark purple, nose black cherry, red cherry, blueberry, blackberry,minerals, herbs. In the mouth its smooth and enjoyable, a bit sweet, but in my mind its equivalent to every other high quality~30 cab out there. I would just as soon drink BV Rutherford, Conn Creek Anthology or Hilary Goldschmidt Charming Creek, as they are all similar quality for 25-30. I'll buy some more but this is not playing the same game as Realm, Hundred Acre, Harlan, Fait Main, etc... who have real 97+ wines from RP.
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8/6/2017 - Mootsie Likes this wine: 90 Points
A lesson in expectations. If this wine were not rated at all and sold for $20 something, we'd all say decent QPR, 90 ish. Instead we expect an "outstanding" wine and some let the score rule their thoughts, others realize it does not match other wines rated as high and crush it with a 73. For me it's a good QPR. 90.
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8/1/2017 - RayT Likes this wine: 90 Points
Finally got to drink this years version of the 2013 Clos Du Val Cabernet. It started well as this was the darkest ruby color of any wine under $40 that I can remember. It also had nice aromatics with a big nose with no detectable heat.
That's pretty much where the compliments end. Only got to decant this 45 minutes and I am sure it could have used more time. On the palate I got black cherry, plum, cedar, and smoke. It was fairly smooth with a decent mid plate but unlike others for me this had a fairly short finish.
The biggest complaint about this wine which I find repeated over and over in everyone's CT notes is no depth or complexity. I had the same experience. Am I shocked that a $30 wine had no depth or complexity? NO!!! I am shocked when I find a wine under $50 with those traits.
I am typically not looking for that in the sub $30 market. Is it tasty and is it fairly smooth?. That is probably a yes for this wine.
I drank A LOT of Louis Martini wine when I first started drinking wine. Parker once said, "The 2010 and 2011 Louis Martini Sonoma county is the best $17 bottle in the world". I agreed with him at the time and have always thought as a producer Louis Martini gives good bang for the buck.
I have only ranked a few wines above 96 points and they were all over $200. They were all from stellar vineyards with top winemakers that produce wine in a meticulous fashion which is another way of saying EXPENSIVE!
To think that we can find a mass produced generic wine that is above a 95 is an exercise in futility. It is fun though to search for the Holy Grail!
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7/31/2017 - mdennison wrote: 74 Points
Don't bother. Use for cooking.
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7/27/2017 - tjross Likes this wine: 88 Points
Drank over three days. Really lost any sort of depth or punch by day 3. Really flat and one dimensional by the end. Does not bode well for long term aging.
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7/23/2017 - sdezutti Likes this wine: 96 Points
Really nice nose of lead pencil and currant. Not as sweet in the mouth as the last bottle about 3 months ago. A little more balanced; typical Cabernet profile. This is drinking very well right now and does not come across as tannic. The question is how is this going to age
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7/23/2017 - Nutty08 Likes this wine: 92 Points
This bottle was better. Full throttle and dark berry driven for sure, but better balanced and had a great aromatic profile.
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7/20/2017 - Shay.Aldriedge Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very purple in color, but the wine wasn't as heavy as it looked. Big aromatics...maple syrup, caramelized brown sugar, blueberry jam, faint smell of smoked meat. Very "pure" front and mid palate...nothing was overbearing or dominant one way or the other. Silky texture, rush of blue and black fruits, earthiness, toasted oak and milk chocolate. Very Napa cab-esque. Could see how some would think it was too extracted, but it doesn't touch a Caymus 40 in that category. At $34/bottle, this is a show stopper. Not worthy of 97pts from Parker, but probably the best sub $40 bottle of wine I've come across from Cali.
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7/16/2017 - maitredgreg2 Likes this wine: 96 Points
95+
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7/4/2017 - Nutty08 wrote: 89 Points
Consumed in a casual setting. Seemed to be an easily accessible wine, with ripe plush flavors moving towards dark berry, mixed with prominent oak and vanilla. A crowd pleasing cab. Not sure where the 97pts come from but it's a decent enough drink.
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7/1/2017 - tjross Likes this wine: 90 Points
On back patio with Gary and Nicol. The controversial wine of the night, primarily because of the Parker rating. The others found it much better than me. I get it, but to me this wine is overly "manufactured". It hits all the notes for a pop and poured wine you don't think much about, but it lacks any depth and complexity. It tastes good, but is completely uninteresting. A wine to drink, but not one to contemplate.
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6/27/2017 - Motz wrote: 89 Points
A goopy, fruit drenched tsunami (or maybe, a tsunami of goopy drenched fruit)...(whatever)...with abusive oak (as in three medium sized forests), which imparts the equivalent flavor of an entire vanilla bean plantation, and atomic, IN-YOUR-FACE!!! alcohol. The medium acid and light tannin do not stand a chance against all the fruit, lumber, and alcohol. Parkerized to the nth degree. I will resist the temptation to find a soapbox, and write no more.
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6/22/2017 - tjross Likes this wine: 89 Points
Due to the RP rating, was given a case as a gift. Doesn't come anywhere close to a 97. A reasonable wine, but come on. 97?
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6/19/2017 - Rangeldoug Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drinks well above its price point. Well structured, solid mouthfeel, medium-long finish - tobacco and chocolate on the nose.
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6/18/2017 - hanasowner wrote: 92 Points
Solid after an hour of air...definitely a crowdpleaser...will decant and/or open the remainder well in advance.
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6/13/2017 - cbrachfeld Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very good with intense varietal character but slightly lacking in body and structure.
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6/11/2017 - Coens Likes this wine: 89 Points
It's a good cab, however it's not what RP said it would be;-)
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6/11/2017 - edub7 Does not like this wine: 85 Points
Very ripe, low acidity, very rich, port like. Tastes a bit like Robitussin cough syrup atop of vanilla ice-cream. Some-what disgusting. I knew we were in trouble from the nose onwards. Even a friend who owns a California winery also looked at me with quite the horrified expression when smelling. We knew this was not for us. While it's smooth and velvety, possibly balanced, there is just a hint of minerality in the mid palate that peaks through that provides a glimmer of hope something may become of this wine with some age. Even after a few hours of air, we were not having it. While it certainly will improve with some time in the cellar, will it become outstanding with time? Possibly, but in the meanwhile, this is just an uber ripe, over oaked, uninteresting wine for me... to say the least.
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6/10/2017 - bzell Likes this wine: 94 Points
Great cab and even better considering its $30 price. Deep rich notes on the nose of jam, prunes, raisins. On the palate multiple layers of berries, cocoa and tobacco. Long finish great mouth feel. The wine has not reached its potential.
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6/8/2017 - RockyII Likes this wine: 91 Points
Let decant in the glass for about 30 minutes then drank over the next hour. Deep garnet to purple in color. Strong nose of plum, blackberry, oak, cedar and alcohol. Pretty fruit forward and sweet on the entry but not jammy at all. Has some additional earth and herbal notes as well as faint licorice, chocolate and cola notes. Pretty stiff tannins and medium acidity. Long dry finish. Damn good for $30 and I can see this gaining a point or two with a few more years in the cellar. Higher rating if factoring in price.
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5/27/2017 - tcarter Likes this wine: 91 Points
Still very young and really really fruit forward. Not quite a fruit bomb, but in that ballpark. Hoping that more complexity and layers develop with time.
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5/22/2017 - WineDr. Likes this wine: 94 Points
Given the price of around $30/bottle, I had to try this wine after I saw its 97 points rating from WINE ADVOCATE'S Robert Parker.
Like others, I doubted it could live up to his billing.
As an aside, I find tasting notes to often be amusing. The more detailed they are, the less consistency one sees. I remember reading 3 separate reviews from professional wine critics for a white wine a few years ago. All 3 critics gave it the same outstanding 90 points rating. However, all 3 taste descriptions were totally different. Not slightly different, but totally different. Drinking that wine, what flavors would you then expect: Those of the 1st critic...those of the 2nd critic...those of the 3rd critic...or ones unique to you?
Maybe my palate is not as sophisticated as theirs but, at least, it's not confusing. I know what I like...and I know what I don't like.
With respect to the LOUIS MARTINI 2014 ALEXANDER VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON, I decanted it, let it air out for 1 1/2 hours, and put it in the refrigerator for the last 15 minutes to serve at cellar temperature.
My impressions: It has a deep ruby color and appealing dark fruit nose. No sediment visible. On the palate. it is medium-bodied and quite smooth. It has tasty blue and dark fruit flavors that mesh seamlessly. I like the fact that those fruit flavors come through without it being a "fruit bomb". The oak is noticeable but not overbearing. The finish is fairly long.
I give it a solid 94 points. As it ages and its few rough edges smooth out, I think it could be a 96 to 98 points wine in the future.
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5/13/2017 - Stevenwsims Likes this wine: 94 Points
8 hour decant
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5/2/2017 - WineCPA wrote: 92 Points
This is a very good wine for under $30. My score reflects that. It's got very big fruit up front and some heat. It certainly needs time to show its full potential. However, I do not believe that it will be a 97 point wine as it was rated professionally. I'll wait 5 years and reevaluate my last bottle at that point.
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4/30/2017 - cmr Likes this wine: 91 Points
Definitely has a wonderful nose and palate but was laking a bit on body and structure a bit which is why I can't see the 97pt score. It kept coming across a bit thin bodied. Finish was medium. Overall a great value for the price though.
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4/28/2017 - Glenn92 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Opaque Ruby in the glass that is nice for a cab
Oak on the nose, black fruit and opening with cassis
Tight after using Avanti aerator but smooth with Fontana cheese
Slight spices with Port Salut cheese
Blends well with high end pepperoni, brings out the spices in the wine. Loius is known as an Italian style from Napa so it pairs really nice
Good value below $30
Stick with Italian styles of food to pair with this wine
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4/26/2017 - msuwine wrote: 93 Points
Let me lead with my three conclusions, given that there has been - and will be - a lot said about this wine: (1) this is, and will be for several years, a solid wine on the savory end of the spectrum; (2) this presents a serious value in an otherwise bleak section of the northern CA market (i.e., the sub-$50 cabernet); and (3) this is not, and never will be, a 97-point wine.
Onto the traditional note: This solid Cabernet delivers layers of fruit in a savory, somewhat rustic, package. Dark red in color, medium in body, nose of black cherry, olive, and herbs. Tastes of blueberry, dark chocolate, espresso, and cedar, with a little thinness in the mid-palate as well as a chalky and tannic finish (befitting a wine so young). 14.9% alcohol. Blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petite Sirah. Better on second day: a little lighter, a littler purer cherry taste. I'm going to wait another year or two in order to drink my other bottle.
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4/24/2017 - THaas Likes this wine: 94 Points
Needed about an hour to work it's way out of the bottle. Seriously surprising cabernet for under $30 -- Opaque red-garnet. Nose shows dark cherry, plum, a hint of herbes de provence, and a hint of vegetal. Velvety in the mouth -- the mouthfeel is really nice. Again, dark cherry, cassis, cedar, spice, and a slightly more pronounced vegetal note (like fresh green pepper) and a hint of leather. Tannins are present, but not over-pronounced. Balance is 5/5, really nice right now.
Could it age? I suppose so (say through 2027), but it's really tempting to drink right now.
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4/16/2017 - Badmonkey wrote: 91 Points
Easter at my parents and my father decided to open a couple older/more mature bottles: 1990 Caymus Special Select, 1998 Opus One, 2014 Barnett Rattlesnake, 2010 Paul Hobbs Beckstoffer Dr Crane, and 2014 Louis Martini Alexander Valley.
Similar notes as a couple weeks ago. When you put this wine against a 2014 Barnett Rattlesnake cab and 2010 Paul Hobbs Beckstoffer Dr Crane, you realize how silly it is that Parker rated this wine 97 points - nowhere near the depth and quality of fruit. Nonetheless, still a solid bottle for $25.
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4/16/2017 - pkatz Likes this wine: 93 Points
Dark and rich. Only 2% petite sirah but it really comes through on both the nose and initial attack on the palate. This could improve with time but it is quite tasty now and will likely close down for a while in a year or two. The wait may be worth it.
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4/15/2017 - sdezutti Likes this wine: 96 Points
I was all ready to drink this with a very critical view as I was convinced that no wine of this price/production range could be as good as the 97 pt rating. My very first smell and sip completely changed my mind. I was blown away by this bottle and although I know tastes vary I don't see how anyone could taste this and think it is 'average'. Deep bouquet of espresso and black fruits. Intense palate impact with abundant coffee/espresso notes and dark fruit. I typically don't pay attention to glycerin levels but this was the highest I've ever seen and it came across as super rich. With time the tannins became noticeable but were mostly concealed behind the richness of the fruit. The question is what will this turn into with some bottle age but right now this to me is a special wine. 96+
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4/8/2017 - redbrix Likes this wine: 91 Points
This wine is black red and opaque. A complex and inviting mix of flavors including black raspberry, tar, tobacco, and oak. This wine has some octane to it and would benefit from some aging. It is dry and smooth with cherry and wood notes and good tannin. It was a little sweeter than expected, but an excellent wine.
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4/4/2017 - brian przyzycki wrote: 93 Points
Maybe not a 97 pointer, but I'm really glad I snagged a half dozen of these. Clean floral nose with a little licorice. Glycerin smooth palate with mixed red and blue fruits paired to a mocha/graphite finish. Doesn't have that Napa snap but it is a Sonoma wine. Very nice. Great balance and long finish. The 2013 clos due Val was lasts years bargain cab. This wine is the solid 2014 winner IMHO. CHEERS!
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3/25/2017 - afu wrote: 92 Points
Don't see this as a 97 especially for Parker. Solid 92+ at this point. Unfair to drink so young. Like a finely tailored English suit everything is exactly where it should be. Dark color, dark fruit black cherry and more. High alcohol evident, glycerine legs I couldn't believe. A little lighter than a Napa big boy cab though pure with a nice finish. Really deserves some time. Already enjoyed most 2 of our 3 bottles.
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3/22/2017 - Tym4wine Likes this wine: 90 Points
OK, so I'd have to say that I absolutely agree that this falls short of 97 points, but hey, I'm not RP, and I love the fact that an AV wine garnered so much love from the master! That said, I have to be true to all my ratings and this wine, imho, is a solid 90 in my book, but oh so worth it in terms of value. For those new to wine experiences, BUY some. You won't regret it. Read the reviews posted, all good perspectives.
The wine appeared mid-weight when first opened and gained weight through the evening. Tannins are grippy with balanced acidity. Some smokiness on the nose, red and black fruit, with a solidly medium finish. Very nice effort.
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3/19/2017 - mouton45 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Not quite a 97-pointer, but it's an excellent steak wine at a great price -under $26. Rich, full-bodied, gobs of sweet fruit - my kind of cab. Liked the first bottle so much that I went back and bought another six-pack today. Now, 10 days later, I stumbled on it again at another store for the shocking price of $14.07 a bottle, and so i bought another six-pack. Have three now, but at $14 per, it's pretty hard not to go back and get some more, which I probably will
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3/18/2017 - scorrea Likes this wine: 88 Points
Nice dark fruit but not to much over the top. Medium tannins and medium acidity. Delicious wine but dont get the 92+ others are getting.
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3/9/2017 - Mrbuzz Likes this wine: 93 Points
Ok, finally found the infamous 97ptr from RP, and all of $24! To be honest, I've been drinking a few of the 13 to get ready for the 14, and found them very enjoyable in that price point.
On to the 14. Definitely richer and darker than the 13...don't know if there was Petite Sirah in the 13, but seems to show in the 14. Liqueured berry fruits...cherry, raspberry, plum, currants...sweet and full bodied, but not too so. Not as dry with graphite as I usually like, but definitely not overtly sweet. Really like the smoked cherry wood, and earth mulch...dried tobacco leaf, licorice and cedar spice. Firm structure, but more accessible tannins then the big boys at this stage. Seems to have the fruit and stuffing to age for a decade or so? I find this wine very tasty and correct in young Ca. Cab Sauv...a grab-n-grill some steaks on a tues kind of wine...especially at this price! A case buy all day long...but really don't get the score? Maybe Parker's touché to Galloni's 13 Clos du Val? Don't know...but I do know this is good juice for $24-35!
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3/4/2017 - Lar F Likes this wine: 93 Points
Was better after about 30 min.
Not a 97 but very good
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3/3/2017 - Stevenwsims wrote: 93 Points
Decent for the price point. 97 Parker makes absolutely no sense. A bit jammy, faint tannins, unimpressive fruit. Drank over the course of 4 hours. Improved some.
So I came back to it on day two, it probably gained a point or two. Next time i'll give it a full day decanting
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3/1/2017 - Badmonkey wrote: 91 Points
Decided to revisit another bottle over two days to make sure that I'm not missing something. Similar thoughts as the last bottle. Once again, it's a nice bottle for $25 but I don't get the 97 rating from Parker. A little fuller fruit on day two but still not overly deep nor complex. Fairly rich and a little sweet. 90 on day one and 91 on day two.
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3/1/2017 - Black Pearl wrote: 91 Points
Agree on all points with Bad Monkey's review. A good, solid bottle of Alexander Valley cabernet - smooth, well-balanced, tasty - but far short of 97 pts. Its a solid 91-92 pts IMO, but nothing more. For $25 or $30 its a nice wine to have in the stable, but not an amazing wine, nor an amazing deal. It lacks depth and nuance that takes similar wines to higher levels. Grab some if you can for less than $30, but do not feel that you are missing out if you don't or can't.
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2/27/2017 - Badmonkey wrote: 93 Points
For the money, I've enjoyed the Louis Martini napa cab - it usually over-achieves for the price point in my opinion. However, I was a little surprised to hear that Parker rated the 2014 Louis Martini Alexander Valley cab 97 points so I had to give it a shot. Drank this bottle over two days. Dark red fruit with a touch of black - dark cherry, currants, and a little blackberry. Day 1, smooth mid-palate but not much depth especially for such a rating (medium body). Easy drinking. Solid finish but not overly long nor deep. Day 2, the fruit filled-out a little more and in light of day two I believe this vintage should lay down a little longer which is no surprise in light of its youth. In all, a nice bottle for $25 (one of the better $25 bottles of cab that I've had in light of day two); however, I'm a little perplexed by Parker's 97 rating - it lacks the depth, complexity, and overall character for such a rating in my opinion. Nonetheless, a solid QPR at $25. 98% cab and 2% petite sirah.
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