91 Points, Wine Enthusiast 94 Points, James Suckling
Tasting Notes
“Dense but not ripe aromas of black fruit, crushed lava rocks, baked earth, and savory herbs show on the nose of this bottling. It’s very dry on the palate, as is typical for the region, with charred wood, dried blackberry, charcoal, and dark cocoa flavors. The sandy tannins will keep this alive for decades. Drink now–2037.” Wine Enthusiast
Always a stark contrast to our Napa Cabernets, this wine’s depth, and boisterousness is its most notable strength. Ripe black cherry, cranberry skins, bramble and notes of bay laurel. A definitive herbaceous tone with notes of English thyme, and chili peppers. Bright acidity and graphite-like minerality with a firm, silky tannins and a subtle toffee finish.
Vineyard/Winemaking Notes
Sourcing
Beauregard Ranch, Fellom Ranch
Vineyard Notes
Both producing small, compact clusters, each site produces fruit that is intense and concentrated. High elevation, coupled with evening fog and the ever-present marine influence makes for ideal growing conditions.
Ideal conditions from beginning to end, offering ideal results throughout. Foggy and cool mornings with minimal heat spikes.
Winemaking Notes
Fermented in small 4-6 ton open top fermenters, with thrice daily pump overs for cap management. Upon finishing fermentation the wine is allowed to rest on its skins for up to a month. Aged in 60% new French oak for 16 months.
Specs
Vintage: 2017
Release Date: August 2019
Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Appellation: Santa Cruz Mountains
Brix at Harvest: 22.6°
pH: 3.78
Total Acidity: 5.8 g/L
Alcohol: 13.7%
Included in the Box
2-bottles:
2x 2017 Martin Ray Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Cruz Mountains
Case:
12x 2017 Martin Ray Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Cruz Mountains
The name Martin Ray resonates deeply in the history of California Winemaking. Martin Ray was a pioneer, dedicated to crafting single varietal, region specific wine from 1943 through 1972 in Saratoga, in the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Mentored by Paul Masson, he took a Burgundian approach to his winemaking, and developed what is now one of the most historic properties in California, known as Mount Eden.
Nearly twenty years later, Courtney Benham stumbled upon 1500 cases of Martin Ray wine in a San Jose warehouse. Recognizing his good fortune, and his intent and drive to produce terroir driven wines, Ray’s historical significance and philosophy resonated with him. Courtney purchased the brand, and since 1990 has been committed to the production of artisanal wines worthy of the Martin Ray name.
In 2003, Martin Ray Vineyards & Winery made its home in the Russian River Valley, on the edge of Green Valley at one of the oldest continually working wineries in California. Today, Courtney and his winemaking team devote themselves to Ray’s ideology of making “wines of place”, by sourcing from hillside and valley floor fruit, they are relentless at telling the story of each exceptional appellation and vineyard.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WI, WY
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2017 Martin Ray Cabernet Sauvignon - $90 = 23.06%
I somehow lucked out and got to labrat this, and without seeing the price or any of the details on this offer while sampling and taking notes I can say this probably one of the better bottles WD has sent me to provide notes on over the last few years.
I’m a sucker for Santa Cruz mountain cabernet, its got that more lean almost feminine side of cabernet that the big Napa / Sonoma cabs don’t have.
Martin Ray Winery
2017 cabernet santa cruz mountains
Tonight’s notes
Color: Deep clear purple with a little light showing through at the edges.
Nose: A moderate young nose of cassis, a bit of black cherry, some vanilla and not much in the way of alcohol. Oak seems very restrained but still present. The nose is primary red/black fruit at this point.
Taste: very dry, full bodied, good/great acidity, moderate drying tannins, the wine seems well balanced. Very flavorful, notes of cassis, black cherry (slight sour note), a bit of other red fruit, vanilla, but not much alcohol or oak that is noticeable. I tried this on its own after a dinner of Mexican food.
Very solid cabernet from a well known region for excellent cabernet, this bottle is very young and im sure will age well. I don’t love the use of the screw cap here, i’d prefer the traditional cork for the heavier style bottle like this one.
Nice job WD!
I’m thinking that lovers of the big Napa cabernets wont love this but I did.
@CorTot Good review, but I’ll take the screw cap every time over a cork for a wine that I am likely to have for a while. (My cellar is overflowing.) My argument is if a screw cap is good enough for a 100-year old Scotch, it is good enough for a moderately priced wine. YMMV.
@Jackinga Fair enough. I like screw caps in the drink now wines but with the bottles that are meant to age I like a traditional cork. Just my preference.
@CorTot your intro has me going “crap, I might need some of this”, but you don’t mention any herbal or related characteristics. Did you get any of those?
@klezman I could sense a hint of greeness in the background, not much in the way of herbs but I only had this fairly young cab open for a couple hours, it may just need air to fully open up.
@jmdavidson1 We’re a couple of hours south in Bloomington, if we had any travel planned up that way in March, we’d be in. Former Glen Ellynite, so know right where you are. We’ll keep watch for future IL splits!
I have always liked Santa Cruz Mountain AVA Cabs - Ridge Montebello being the archetype and almost always the best exemplar.
The descriptions of this are reminiscent of descriptions of some young Montebellos…
On that basis, I’d say it’s definitely worth trying if you’re serious about Cab and have the dosh and the room.
The biggest question with a screw cap is whether it has been designed to allow aging - many claim this can be done now. ‘‘Twas not always so: I remember the early experiments where a white (French Columbard) from the early 1930s was opened in the late sixties and still tasted alike a fresh young wine.
@rlmanzo@rpm Agreed with your assessment, rpm. I have neither spare cash nor spare room, but the SC Mountains have a certain herbal component I really enjoy.
@rlmanzo@rpm@ScottW58 ridge is all over the place these days. Different styles, regions, etc.
I’ll agree it’s not a montebello but at 25% of the price point I think it stands up well as a solid Santa Cruz Cabernet. I’d be happy take 2-3 if any of the locals bought any.
91 Points, Wine Enthusiast
94 Points, James Suckling
Tasting Notes
“Dense but not ripe aromas of black fruit, crushed lava rocks, baked earth, and savory herbs show on the nose of this bottling. It’s very dry on the palate, as is typical for the region, with charred wood, dried blackberry, charcoal, and dark cocoa flavors. The sandy tannins will keep this alive for decades. Drink now–2037.” Wine Enthusiast
Always a stark contrast to our Napa Cabernets, this wine’s depth, and boisterousness is its most notable strength. Ripe black cherry, cranberry skins, bramble and notes of bay laurel. A definitive herbaceous tone with notes of English thyme, and chili peppers. Bright acidity and graphite-like minerality with a firm, silky tannins and a subtle toffee finish.
Vineyard/Winemaking Notes
Sourcing
Beauregard Ranch, Fellom Ranch
Vineyard Notes
Both producing small, compact clusters, each site produces fruit that is intense and concentrated. High elevation, coupled with evening fog and the ever-present marine influence makes for ideal growing conditions.
Ideal conditions from beginning to end, offering ideal results throughout. Foggy and cool mornings with minimal heat spikes.
Winemaking Notes
Fermented in small 4-6 ton open top fermenters, with thrice daily pump overs for cap management. Upon finishing fermentation the wine is allowed to rest on its skins for up to a month. Aged in 60% new French oak for 16 months.
Specs
Included in the Box
Price Comparison
$720 for a Case/$60 MSRP, Not Sold on the Website
About The Winery
Winery: Martin Ray Vineyards & Winery
The name Martin Ray resonates deeply in the history of California Winemaking. Martin Ray was a pioneer, dedicated to crafting single varietal, region specific wine from 1943 through 1972 in Saratoga, in the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Mentored by Paul Masson, he took a Burgundian approach to his winemaking, and developed what is now one of the most historic properties in California, known as Mount Eden.
Nearly twenty years later, Courtney Benham stumbled upon 1500 cases of Martin Ray wine in a San Jose warehouse. Recognizing his good fortune, and his intent and drive to produce terroir driven wines, Ray’s historical significance and philosophy resonated with him. Courtney purchased the brand, and since 1990 has been committed to the production of artisanal wines worthy of the Martin Ray name.
In 2003, Martin Ray Vineyards & Winery made its home in the Russian River Valley, on the edge of Green Valley at one of the oldest continually working wineries in California. Today, Courtney and his winemaking team devote themselves to Ray’s ideology of making “wines of place”, by sourcing from hillside and valley floor fruit, they are relentless at telling the story of each exceptional appellation and vineyard.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Thursday, March 12th - Monday, March 16th
Martin Ray Cabernet Sauvignon
2 bottles for $64.99 $32.49/bottle + $4/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $299.99 $25/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2017 Martin Ray Cabernet Sauvignon
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2017 Martin Ray Cabernet Sauvignon - $90 = 23.06%
The case price makes this fairly compelling for a SC mountains Cabernet. Where are the rats?
@klezman at your service!
I somehow lucked out and got to labrat this, and without seeing the price or any of the details on this offer while sampling and taking notes I can say this probably one of the better bottles WD has sent me to provide notes on over the last few years.
I’m a sucker for Santa Cruz mountain cabernet, its got that more lean almost feminine side of cabernet that the big Napa / Sonoma cabs don’t have.
Martin Ray Winery
2017 cabernet santa cruz mountains
Tonight’s notes
Color: Deep clear purple with a little light showing through at the edges.
Nose: A moderate young nose of cassis, a bit of black cherry, some vanilla and not much in the way of alcohol. Oak seems very restrained but still present. The nose is primary red/black fruit at this point.
Taste: very dry, full bodied, good/great acidity, moderate drying tannins, the wine seems well balanced. Very flavorful, notes of cassis, black cherry (slight sour note), a bit of other red fruit, vanilla, but not much alcohol or oak that is noticeable. I tried this on its own after a dinner of Mexican food.
Very solid cabernet from a well known region for excellent cabernet, this bottle is very young and im sure will age well. I don’t love the use of the screw cap here, i’d prefer the traditional cork for the heavier style bottle like this one.
Nice job WD!
I’m thinking that lovers of the big Napa cabernets wont love this but I did.
@CorTot Good review, but I’ll take the screw cap every time over a cork for a wine that I am likely to have for a while. (My cellar is overflowing.) My argument is if a screw cap is good enough for a 100-year old Scotch, it is good enough for a moderately priced wine. YMMV.
@Jackinga Fair enough. I like screw caps in the drink now wines but with the bottles that are meant to age I like a traditional cork. Just my preference.
@CorTot your intro has me going “crap, I might need some of this”, but you don’t mention any herbal or related characteristics. Did you get any of those?
@klezman I could sense a hint of greeness in the background, not much in the way of herbs but I only had this fairly young cab open for a couple hours, it may just need air to fully open up.
Bravo CorTot!
Attn IL shoppers, I’ll get the case, take 6 for me and would need takers for the other 6. What say you?
@jmdavidson1
I’d take 2 or 3, if available.
@jmdavidson1 Great to see an IL share! Whereabouts? I think we’re one of the few in the middle of the state.
@benguin986
@benguin986 Downers Grove area
@jmdavidson1 We’re a couple of hours south in Bloomington, if we had any travel planned up that way in March, we’d be in. Former Glen Ellynite, so know right where you are. We’ll keep watch for future IL splits!
@jmdavidson1 Order in for a case. If anyone, besides Karen, wants in, send me a PM. Karen, let me know how many you want (no pressure).
@Winedavid49 Is the delivery window on this firm or conservative? Trying to determine if I can thread the needle given current travel schedule.
@xandersherry conservative.
Anyone in Bay Area wanna split ?
@ponyo4 Where are you located? I’m in Los Gatos…
@GeorgeDLR I’m in SF - bear GGP. in a Richmond area.
@ponyo4 I’d take 4! I’m also in SF (Cole Valley).
@michaepf great ! Anyone else will take 4? I’d take 4.
Well, I didn’t get to lab rat this wine, but …
I have always liked Santa Cruz Mountain AVA Cabs - Ridge Montebello being the archetype and almost always the best exemplar.
The descriptions of this are reminiscent of descriptions of some young Montebellos…
On that basis, I’d say it’s definitely worth trying if you’re serious about Cab and have the dosh and the room.
The biggest question with a screw cap is whether it has been designed to allow aging - many claim this can be done now. ‘‘Twas not always so: I remember the early experiments where a white (French Columbard) from the early 1930s was opened in the late sixties and still tasted alike a fresh young wine.
@rpm If this wine tastes anything like Montebello(or even their Estate Cab) I’d be in for three cases.
I love Ridge but was not a huge fan of the Martin Ray Merlot offered recently.
Not sure what to do…
Only ONE rat this time?
@rlmanzo @rpm Agreed with your assessment, rpm. I have neither spare cash nor spare room, but the SC Mountains have a certain herbal component I really enjoy.
@rpm aging…
how does that 3.78 pH play into that?
@rlmanzo @rpm
This wine may be great but I don’t know if I would compare to Ridge?
@rlmanzo @rpm @ScottW58 ridge is all over the place these days. Different styles, regions, etc.
I’ll agree it’s not a montebello but at 25% of the price point I think it stands up well as a solid Santa Cruz Cabernet. I’d be happy take 2-3 if any of the locals bought any.
@CorTot @rlmanzo @ScottW58 That was what I was reading into your rattage…
I’m almost never a fan of Merlot…