Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

For more than 75 years, the Martini family winemakers have crafted wines from Sonoma and Napa counties. Michael Martini, 3rd generation carries on the tradition. 100% Cab, aged in French oak (75% new) for over 2 years. Deep Ruby, aromas of red/black fruit, complex spice with smoky notes. Flavors of blackberry and currants with an earthy character adding a array of spices. Fine tannins, opening nicely, long finish, ending with notes of fruit, cacao & tobacco. Still has room to age. — 5 years ago

Martin Diehr

9.5

WOW! Was given to me by Michael Mondavi in 2001 or 2002 during a Tampa market visit! Been relocated about 10 times, including oversees and back, yet at 19 years of age, this wine still drinks great! #mondavi #tokalon #oldwinerocks @DLynn Proctor @Robert Mondavi — 6 years ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

Barrel sample of a special barrel selection 10 case lot we purchased at last years Premier Napa valley (PNV) — 6 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Over 75 years, the Martini family have crafted Cabernet Sauvignon wines from vineyards of Sonoma & Napa counties, carried on by 3rd gneration winemaker Michael Martini. A blend of 82% Cabernet Sauvignon with Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot, and Merlot making up the rest. Aromas of ripe black fruits and subtle spice. On the palate ripe flavors of blackberry and dark currant flavors with herb notes and cacao. Savory tannins, good balance, lingering ending with juicy mineral tones. Very nice. Tasting Sample. — 8 years ago

Eric

9.5

Michael Mondavi. Kicked ass with its balance. — 8 years ago

Jamie Haebich

9.1

Wine with Tor, Michael, Tim and Tayla. Good for Sunday Lunch. — 9 years ago

Aura Novembre

9.5

Smooth operator!! Love the oak ending. Michael and Rachel brought over to the apt. — 9 years ago

Adam Nesto

9.0

Dad really finding random bottles in the u fished basement — 5 years ago

Michael Amoruso

9.0

Big and delicious. Apple, pear, always there! — 6 years ago

Chip Krotee

9.5

Bang/$ pretty great. Went up against M Etain, Camus SS, and PEter Michael...held its own. Keep open for a couple. Very very enjoyable. — 6 years ago

Merritt Santino Raül Gilé

9.0

DNWC pick of the month. Probably 3-4 years past peak, but still drinkin’ reeeeaaaallll nice. — 7 years ago

Marcus Marquez

9.2

This wine was drinking nice at 58 degrees pulled right out of the wine fridge. It needed to blow off some tight aromas but this is a soft merlot that truly shows the best of the Coombsville appellation. Lots of fruit and floral flavors , big taste even for this vintage. Great wine. I m enjoying it with B.L.T.A.E and it paired perfectly. — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

On the nose; perfumed, floral, spiced fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, strawberries, raspberries & hues of blue fruits. Dark, rich soils, anise and dark fresh foral bouquet. The body is M and the tannins M+. Spices flow before the wine reveals the ripe, fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, strawberries and hues of blueberries. Loads of dark spices, dark chocolate, mocha powder, crushed rocks, dry stones, loamy soils, leather, dry brush and bright violets. The acidity is nice and the balanced finish is long, elegant and turns slightly dry on the very backend. Photos of; their signage as you approach, David March (Winemaker), a feather with hand painted artwork of their bottle in great detail and the pond on the front grounds. Producer history and notes...Garrison Creek Cellars is a project of Walla Walla natives Michael Murr and his childhood friend Dave March. While Michael Murr lives on the east coast, Dave March is both Winemaker and Winery Manager in Walla Walla. Garrison Creek Cellars has 300 acres situated along the Washington/Oregon border on the fringes of Walla Walla, but on the Washington side. David March (Winemaker) studied nuclear medicine and was a department head at the local hospital before joining the Garrison Creek Cellars partnership. Garrison Creek Cellars is a boutique winery making only about 1000 cases each year. They make; Malbec, Cabernet, Syrah, Tempranillo, Merlot and a little Zinfandel. Some of these are under 100 cases total production. Garrison Creek Cellars sits on the famous Les Collines vineyard. They sell about 97% of the fruit in their vineyard. They choose to keep their wines in small production and are also slow to arrive to market as they will not release anything before it's time...something I respect. When a winery releases their new reds, most are generally not ready to drink. They need to bottle age! Garrison Creek releases their wines when they are a little closer to being ready to drink when they arrive or are picked up. — 8 years ago

Raymond Dalton

9.0

Very good!! — 5 years ago

Sony

9.7

Wow wow wow and I would say O-M-G as well. Top 3 wines of all time. Definitely does not drink Like a Bordeaux. More like a Cabernet.

And thank you Ted who gave us this bottle and recommended to decant it and throw in the fridge 1/2 hour.

You will not be disappointed even at a $65 price tag. Smoky with definite oak and black currents, it’s simply remarkable.... and even though it’s “alcoholy” from the nose to the finish, it is so complex and dry that it compliments a cab lovers palate! — 6 years ago

Matt Sterr

9.6

One is the greatest American Sauvignon Blanca ever produced. Amazing weight, aromatics and great balance. 150 cases produced from heritage vines transplanted from 1940s To Kalon plantings grafted on to St. George rootstock. — 6 years ago

Matt Austin

Owner/Winemaker, Grosgrain Vineyards, Walla Walla, WA

9.2

Whenever I pick up a personalized bottle like this at auction, it makes me think about the previous owner and why they never got around to drinking it. Perhaps they passed away before getting the chance to. Anyways, I thank Cindy for her bottle, signed by Tim and Michael Mondavi, perhaps on a special trip to Napa Valley, which was very enjoyable tonight, although certainly on the downslope. — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

On the nose; sweet liqueur style dark, dry cherries. The fruits are dry; blackberries, dark cherries, dry cranberries, black raspberries and raspberries. Violets, red roses, vanilla, crushed rocks and dry top soil. The palate is lush, rich & elegant. M body with well resolved round tannins. The fruits on the palate have a dry character just like the nose, but the body is ruby & lush; blackberries, dark cherries, dry cranberries, black raspberries and raspberries. Black fruit tea, raspberry cola, caramel, powdery limestone, volcanic minerals, vanilla, violets, red roses with a touch of pink roses, nice round acidity and a lush, ruby finish that has gorgeous sex appeal. Photos of; Kosta Browne winery, Kosta Browne Winery founders Dan Kosta, Chris Costello and Michael Browne, their beautiful Pinot grapes ready for harvest and one of their amazing Sonoma vineyards. Producer notes and history...if I remember my historical reading, Dan, Chris & Micheal were waiters in a former life. They saved tips, bought a ton or two of Pinot grapes and made their first vintage of Kosta Browne. It took with critics and they started their winery ascent. After several years of success, they sold Kosta Browne to Vincraft in 2009 for nearly 40 million dollars. One of the more amazing winery success stories in Napa/Sonoma. Try building that kind of success today from saving your tips for a few years. — 8 years ago

JK Robinson

9.1

Hyatt's house cab. Loved it. — 9 years ago

Seth Timen

9.2

D & m recommended — 9 years ago