The 2008 Louis M. Martini Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from vineyards in several Sonoma County wine growing areas, Dry Creek is the only AVA actually name checked on Louis Martini’s website. Louis Martini is one of Gallo Wines 40+ wine labels, but Michael Martini a third generation winemaker is still in charge of the wines. Robert Parker gave the 2007 and the 2008 vintage of this wine 90 points, a pretty solid score for a mass produced wine. The alcohol content is 13.59%.
The color is a dark, but see-thru burgundy red with a salmon pink halo. The nose is blackberries and herbs, with a little touch of vanilla. This is a dry wine, I am smacking my lips after the first sip, but thats a good thing, not bad. The fruit is black cherry, raspberry and strawberry, soft, smooth flavors, but underlying the fruit is intense black licorice and slightly bitter dark chocolate. The mid-palate is blueberry and vanilla, there are strong but sweet tasting tannins, you can feel them in the back of your mouth. There is a good dose of acidity that helps brighten the flavors and allows the finish to linger.
The Louis M. Martini Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon is a $12.99 (purchased at a local chain supermarket), that tastes like a Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon should taste like. Tasty fruit, solid structure, enough tannins and acidity to really pair well with a thick, juicy steak. This is a terrific “last minute” wine, they make over 150,000 cases and its available at supermarkets and mom and pop liquor stores, the perfect wine to grab when the wine shops are closed.
