True to its varietal and appellation, this vintage of Merlot is blue fruit driven, combined with aromas of wild blueberry, tart mulberry, and a notes of juniper. Subtle elderflower gives way to rich dark currant, baked plum, and a touch of pepper. Although full-bodied and well structured, its tannins are present, but well integrated. This wine is sure to be loved by Merlot fans, but is refined enough to appeal to any red wine drinker.
Vintage and Winemaker Notes
The Vineyards
Sourced from the same vineyard on an adjacent block to our Reserve Stags Leap Cabernet Sauvignon, the volcanic alluvial soil that makes up the foothills of the Vaca Mountains provides the same ideal growing conditions to produce an outstanding Merlot. The exposure of the vineyard creates a dramatic warming and cooling effect during the summer months, which in turn, stresses the vines causing them to produce small, dense clusters intense in color and flavor.
Vintage Notes
The culmination of factors from another drought year in California surprised us with another wonderful vintage. An unseasonably dry and warm winter, which led to an early spring, forced the vines into bud break during peak frost season. However, the spring weather stayed mild during fruit set and led into a relatively warm summer which hastened ripening to unprecedented early harvest dates. Although the crop, overall, was lighter (and much, much earlier), than we’ve seen in several years, the outstanding quality of the fruit and resulting wines cannot be understated.
Winemaking Notes
Hand-picked, sorted, and destemmed into small open-top fermenters, our Merlot is coldsoaked for four days, then fermented at warm temperatures. The cap is managed by gentle pumpovers for the purpose of preventing the over-extraction of tannins, and maintaining a rich body and fruit-forward palate. After reaching dryness, the wine is allowed extended maceration for up to 28 days with minimal disturbance. It is then gently basket pressed to 55% new French oak, with a very small portion of American oak for nuance, where it is aged for 16 months.
Specifications
Vintage: 2015
Appellation: Stags Leap District, Napa Valley
Barrel Regime: 16 months, 55% new French and American Oak
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 historical 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
Martin Ray Stags Leap District Merlot
3 bottles for $64.99 $21.66/bottle + $2.67/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $199.99 $16.67/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2015 Martin Ray Stags Leap District Merlot - $60 = 23.06%
Wow. What a wine. Not typically a merlot fan we sat down last week to enjoy The Big Lebowski and some wine. Long, semi sweet yet tart tastes of dark berries. Am I wrong?! Having chilled the wine to a crisp 55 in a brand new wine fridge, the smooth yet finely balanced flavors gave notes of black berry mixed with raspberry. Am I wrong?! While the movie progressed and the wine warmed up, we noticed notes of pepper and spice but not overpowering. Shut the hell up Donny, I’m getting more of this wine.
@alacercogitatus
This looks and sounds interesting, however, I’m not a huge fan of currants or casis. Did you pick up on that dark currant note it states in the “Tasting Notes”, and would you or anyone describe this as jammy?
I received a lab rat bottle more than a week ago! Well done, Ariana!
I was missing my grandson’s second birthday because I had to work, so this wine was a nice surprise, and I hoped it was a good one…
Stag’s Leap Merlot- sounds promising. On pop and pour- beautiful color, great clarity, deep burgundy color. Nose of cherry, vanilla, some toast. Red fruit on the palate, a little hot, fine tannins, with a tart sour cherry finish. There is a noticeable drying of the middle of the tongue with a somewhat harsh astringency.
Enjoyable wine minus the harsh note, but better with food. Paired with a leftover sous vide strip steak, I was a pretty happy camper.
I sealed the wine with argon, and tasted it again on day 2 and day 3 (it was gone after day 3). It was better each day, which leads me to believe it has a lot of life left in it. The harsh middle note faded to the background. Clearly a well made wine.
A friend of mine (let’s call him Matt…) who is well versed in fine wine was over doing an espresso tasting and I asked him to taste the wine on day 2. He got dark cherry and tarragon on the nose, strawberry and fruit chew on the palate, and a dry mouthfeel with lots of herbs on the finish. He described it as a big wine, and liked it a lot.
In typical Casemates fashion, the case price is a little silly for a well made Napa Merlot. I would be in for a case, but the timing is bad and I have too much wine. Hopefully some Rochester folks will go in and I can grab a couple bottles from someone’s case.
Huge fan of this wine. Bought from tasting room in Sonoma County last year and this Casemates deal is crazy! Martin Ray winery history most interesting in CA. We had great hospitality hosts on site. Stocking up here again. Need to buy a ribeye and some veggies and I’m all set…
@ttboy23 It’s here! Full disclosure, I picked it up on my way out of town last Friday. I just had my first chance to email/respond. Popped a cork yesterday to try one…delicious!
@mrn1@boatman72@pjmartin@marikar
I’ll sit this one out since you already have a 4-way split. Maybe one of you will be kind enough to pop a cork during a future get-together.
@davirom@halwarning@klezman
3~4 not a problem.
I think Klez is likely closest to you, I’m in San Diego and will deliver next time I’m up in that area.
Actually, next Wednesday in Culver City, but unlikely these will make it by then.
@davirom@halwarning@klezman
Looks like it can be 4 each, unless klez wants in or someone wants more/fewer. I’m good with 3~4. Looks like halwarning is good with 3~4. Looks like you’re good with 2~4.
davirom, what location works best for you/where are you?
@winedavid49@dave
Where are our …ing promised tools to make this easier?
@halwarning@klezman@rjquillin
I’m flexible. 4-4-4 is ok, or 3-3-3-3 if Klez wants in, or 5-5-2 if he is not and each of you wants an extra. I will whisper my location info.
These have been delivered as I’ve mentioned.
Going to have an workmate up in Cortot’s area next week. Should I send the LA bottles up, or wait till I’m up in Klezman land to deliver?
@davirom@halwarning@klezman@rjquillin I’d say hold until your up next, that’s probably when it will get distributed anyway. I’m not sure if I’ll make it out Klezs way any time soon.
@CorTot@davirom@halwarning@klezman
I’ve got, as cortot would say, a Sherpa, coming north next week delivering to him, and have some of these to divest to others. Three already made to to Klez and are tagged for davirom, but it should have been five additional, two for klez and three for halwarning.
Should I hang on to some/all of these, or sent off to cortot?
@CorTot@davirom@halwarning@rjquillin no idea when we’ll get together. Hoping to work out a dim sum time but the kids are difficult lately. Need to schedule a gathering!
Tasting Notes
True to its varietal and appellation, this vintage of Merlot is blue fruit driven, combined with aromas of wild blueberry, tart mulberry, and a notes of juniper. Subtle elderflower gives way to rich dark currant, baked plum, and a touch of pepper. Although full-bodied and well structured, its tannins are present, but well integrated. This wine is sure to be loved by Merlot fans, but is refined enough to appeal to any red wine drinker.
Vintage and Winemaker Notes
The Vineyards
Sourced from the same vineyard on an adjacent block to our Reserve Stags Leap Cabernet Sauvignon, the volcanic alluvial soil that makes up the foothills of the Vaca Mountains provides the same ideal growing conditions to produce an outstanding Merlot. The exposure of the vineyard creates a dramatic warming and cooling effect during the summer months, which in turn, stresses the vines causing them to produce small, dense clusters intense in color and flavor.
Vintage Notes
The culmination of factors from another drought year in California surprised us with another wonderful vintage. An unseasonably dry and warm winter, which led to an early spring, forced the vines into bud break during peak frost season. However, the spring weather stayed mild during fruit set and led into a relatively warm summer which hastened ripening to unprecedented early harvest dates. Although the crop, overall, was lighter (and much, much earlier), than we’ve seen in several years, the outstanding quality of the fruit and resulting wines cannot be understated.
Winemaking Notes
Hand-picked, sorted, and destemmed into small open-top fermenters, our Merlot is coldsoaked for four days, then fermented at warm temperatures. The cap is managed by gentle pumpovers for the purpose of preventing the over-extraction of tannins, and maintaining a rich body and fruit-forward palate. After reaching dryness, the wine is allowed extended maceration for up to 28 days with minimal disturbance. It is then gently basket pressed to 55% new French oak, with a very small portion of American oak for nuance, where it is aged for 16 months.
Specifications
Included In The Box
Price Comparison
$463.40/case at Martin Ray Vineyards & Winery (including shipping)
About The Winery
Winery: Martin Ray Vineyards & Winery
Location: Santa Rosa, CA
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 historical 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, October 24th - Monday, October 28th
Martin Ray Stags Leap District Merlot
3 bottles for $64.99 $21.66/bottle + $2.67/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $199.99 $16.67/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2015 Martin Ray Stags Leap District Merlot
@ilCesare This link is for the cab not the merlot.
[corrected above link] tnx jm, rj
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2015 Martin Ray Stags Leap District Merlot - $60 = 23.06%
Wow. What a wine. Not typically a merlot fan we sat down last week to enjoy The Big Lebowski and some wine. Long, semi sweet yet tart tastes of dark berries. Am I wrong?! Having chilled the wine to a crisp 55 in a brand new wine fridge, the smooth yet finely balanced flavors gave notes of black berry mixed with raspberry. Am I wrong?! While the movie progressed and the wine warmed up, we noticed notes of pepper and spice but not overpowering. Shut the hell up Donny, I’m getting more of this wine.
@alacercogitatus
This looks and sounds interesting, however, I’m not a huge fan of currants or casis. Did you pick up on that dark currant note it states in the “Tasting Notes”, and would you or anyone describe this as jammy?
@TechnoViking I did not get “jammy” but the darker notes of cassis were there but not overpowering like cream de cassis.
I received a lab rat bottle more than a week ago! Well done, Ariana!
I was missing my grandson’s second birthday because I had to work, so this wine was a nice surprise, and I hoped it was a good one…
Stag’s Leap Merlot- sounds promising. On pop and pour- beautiful color, great clarity, deep burgundy color. Nose of cherry, vanilla, some toast. Red fruit on the palate, a little hot, fine tannins, with a tart sour cherry finish. There is a noticeable drying of the middle of the tongue with a somewhat harsh astringency.
Enjoyable wine minus the harsh note, but better with food. Paired with a leftover sous vide strip steak, I was a pretty happy camper.
I sealed the wine with argon, and tasted it again on day 2 and day 3 (it was gone after day 3). It was better each day, which leads me to believe it has a lot of life left in it. The harsh middle note faded to the background. Clearly a well made wine.
A friend of mine (let’s call him Matt…) who is well versed in fine wine was over doing an espresso tasting and I asked him to taste the wine on day 2. He got dark cherry and tarragon on the nose, strawberry and fruit chew on the palate, and a dry mouthfeel with lots of herbs on the finish. He described it as a big wine, and liked it a lot.
In typical Casemates fashion, the case price is a little silly for a well made Napa Merlot. I would be in for a case, but the timing is bad and I have too much wine. Hopefully some Rochester folks will go in and I can grab a couple bottles from someone’s case.
Cheers!
Huge fan of this wine. Bought from tasting room in Sonoma County last year and this Casemates deal is crazy! Martin Ray winery history most interesting in CA. We had great hospitality hosts on site. Stocking up here again. Need to buy a ribeye and some veggies and I’m all set…
@hankvino shill
@losthighwayz just out here loving some vino #makemerlotgreatagain
If any of the SE Michiganders pick this up , I would be glad to help out
@ttboy23 I’ll grab a case for a share
@kasandrae Cool, thanks!
@ttboy23 It’s here! Full disclosure, I picked it up on my way out of town last Friday. I just had my first chance to email/respond. Popped a cork yesterday to try one…delicious!
Any of the Minnesota gang up for a split? I could go for three or four bottles.
@coynedj Cases sold out, so I ordered the 3-pack. Maybe next time!
@coynedj Cases are back up - if your interested and able to upgrade to a case, then I’ll take 3 or 4.
@Rooboy Sorry - I was driving when they came back and didn’t have a chance to make the change (if you can even do that).
@coynedj: my case arrived; could spare a couple to make a new MN friend. early PaP sez yum.
What you say NE OH? I don’t need more wine but…
@chipgreen @boatman72 @pjmartin @marikar
@winedavid49 SWMBO is going to start blocking Casemates from my internet access on Fridays!!!
@mrn1 I’ll be your 'mate. And HWMBO will roll his eyes
@mrn1 I’m in for 3
@pjmartin @marikar I’ll grab a case, and we can see if anyone else jumps on board before we decide the split. I’m sure the others are still in bed!!!
@marikar @pjmartin Got a case!!!
@marikar @mrn1 Whoohoo!
@mrn1 I’ll take some! 2 or 3 bottles. Whatever you decide is fine with me! Go Buckeyes! Go Browns!
@mrn1 @boatman72 @pjmartin @marikar
I’ll sit this one out since you already have a 4-way split. Maybe one of you will be kind enough to pop a cork during a future get-together.
@Boatman72 @chipgreen @marikar @pjmartin OK…I’ve got the wine, now we just need to plan the get together.
Another successful neighborhood split! Yay. My basic self loves Merlot! Thank you!
/giphy crude-unanimous-stream
@wmhatch LOVE to see neighborhood splits! Bravo!
WHAT!!! Cases sold out!!! @winedavid49 Tell me it isn’t so!
@pjmartin @marikar Let’s see if a full case pops up.
@mrn1
Bummer. at 9am?
@jhkey Not the 1st time. Some of these Friday deals are hot!
@mrn1 I know, right? Ugh. Well, screaming deals seem to not have a lot of inventory so they go quickly. Ended up getting 2x 3packs, still a good deal.
WTF? Cmon guys you can’t be out already.
@GatorFL checking, but friday’s Are usually low case counts.
@Winedavid49 Upgrade my 3 pack to a case if you can.
Anyone in East or middle Tennessee want to split case?
Thanks, Bob
@NapaBob I would be interested in splitting with you. I live in Brentwood.
San Diego/SoCal
bottles available for splitz
@rjquillin Hi Ron, I will take 2-4 depending on other interest and how many you are willing to part with.
@davirom so far just you and I, unless @halwarning want’s some next time I’m traveling north from SD and could drop off with @klezman or elsewhere.
@davirom @klezman @rjquillin I would absolutely be down for 3 or 4 if they’re any still available.
@davirom @halwarning @klezman
3~4 not a problem.
I think Klez is likely closest to you, I’m in San Diego and will deliver next time I’m up in that area.
Actually, next Wednesday in Culver City, but unlikely these will make it by then.
@rjquillin
You’re back on Wednesday? This week or Yom Kippur?
@klezman I think this week, but most likely just an up-and-back the same day.
@rjquillin You know where to find us!
@klezman fact!
@halwarning @klezman @rjquillin How many bottles each?
@davirom @halwarning @klezman
Looks like it can be 4 each, unless klez wants in or someone wants more/fewer. I’m good with 3~4. Looks like halwarning is good with 3~4. Looks like you’re good with 2~4.
davirom, what location works best for you/where are you?
@winedavid49 @dave
Where are our …ing promised tools to make this easier?
@halwarning @klezman @rjquillin
I’m flexible. 4-4-4 is ok, or 3-3-3-3 if Klez wants in, or 5-5-2 if he is not and each of you wants an extra. I will whisper my location info.
@davirom @halwarning @klezman
These got delivered.
Check whispers for details,
@davirom @halwarning @klezman @cortot
These have been delivered as I’ve mentioned.
Going to have an workmate up in Cortot’s area next week. Should I send the LA bottles up, or wait till I’m up in Klezman land to deliver?
@CorTot @rjquillin I can make it work either way, especially if Cory can hold the wine for a while or get it to Sparky who we live closer to.
@davirom @halwarning @klezman @rjquillin I’d say hold until your up next, that’s probably when it will get distributed anyway. I’m not sure if I’ll make it out Klezs way any time soon.
@CorTot @halwarning @klezman @rjquillin FWIW, I will be in Klez’ neighborhood on Thanksgiving.
@CorTot @davirom @halwarning @klezman
I’ve got, as cortot would say, a Sherpa, coming north next week delivering to him, and have some of these to divest to others. Three already made to to Klez and are tagged for davirom, but it should have been five additional, two for klez and three for halwarning.
Should I hang on to some/all of these, or sent off to cortot?
@CorTot @davirom @klezman @rjquillin Hi all! I’m still happy to take 3. I’m a newbie at the splitting this so bear with me…lol. Thanks.
@CorTot @davirom @halwarning @klezman
Downtown LA. Klez, how soon you think you and cortot may do an exchange?
@CorTot @davirom @halwarning @rjquillin no idea when we’ll get together. Hoping to work out a dim sum time but the kids are difficult lately. Need to schedule a gathering!
Any Los Angeles splitters? I live in DTLA.
Cases are back!
/giphy sloppy-forthright-print
This sells for $20 - where did they get the $40 price?
@Mar6867 I see $40 on their site. Then another site has none in stock but estimates it as $60+.
So the better question is, where are you getting your $20 price from?
Got 1 case here in San Gabriel Valley. Want to split?
@calvinko805 hi Calvin. I’ll split with you.
Congrats to WD and Martin Ray.
Been over a month since the last sell out.