2018 Martorana Merlot, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Tasting Notes
Elegant and bold, this surprising Merlot beckons with an unexpected nose of fresh violets, ripe red cherry, and wild purple sage. Velvet smooth tannins recede after an outburst of boysenberry, black tea leaves, and toasted hazelnuts. Each taste of our flagship varietal makes it clear why this classic Merlot is an instant favorite.
Suggested Pairings:
Rigatoni alla Genovese
Grilled pork chops with roasted Brussels sprouts
Filet mignon with chive and sour cream mashed potatoes
Reconnecting fireside with old friends
Specs
Appellation: Grown organically at the Martorana Estate in Dry Creek Valley
Fermentation: 18 months barrel fermentation - 40% new Bossuet French oak
Bottling Date: August 5th, 2020
Alcohol: l4.7%
2018 Martorana Cabernet Sauvignon, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Tasting Notes
Bold blackberry, herbaceous sage, and a touch of clove entice the senses with the approach of this classic California Cabernet. Earthy but fruit-forward, each sip brings forth fantastic flavors of white pepper, wild blueberries, and smoky applewood. Decant for a minimum of one hour before enjoying an unbelievably smooth finish.
Suggested Pairings:
White cheddar mac and cheese
New York steak with a cremini mushroom Bordelaise sauce
Pappardelle Bolognese
Stargazing in your favorite warm jacket on a crisp cool night
Specs
Appellation: Grown organically at the Martorana Estate in Dry Creek Valley
Fermentation: 18 months barrel fermentation - 40% new Bossuet French Oak
Bottling Date: August 5th, 2020
Alcohol: l4%
2019 Martorana Merlot, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Tasting Notes
Rich red currant, perky pink peppercorns, and an earthy sweet bouquet of Herbs de Provence march forth to herald the arrival of our exciting estate Merlot on the palate. Deep notes of black plum, a hint of allspice, and the slightest suggestion of chicory culminate in an unforgettable sip with every single taste of our flagship varietal.
Suggested Pairings:
Eggplant Parmesan
Grilled tri-tip with crispy roasted fingerling potatoes
Porchetta with garlic and rosemary
Cuddles on the couch with your favorite person or four-legged friend
Specs
Appellation: Grown organically at the Martorana Estate in Dry Creek Valley
Fermentation: 18 months barrel fermentation - 40% new Bossuet French Oak
Bottling Date: September 2nd, 2021
Alcohol:l5%
2019 Martorana Cabernet Sauvignon, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Tasting Notes
Enticing aromas of black cherry, fresh thyme, and star anise abound with this show-stopper. Paradoxically bright yet simultaneously soft, this opulent Cab displays unique notes of elderberry, dried rosemary, and maple wood. Pair with fine fare or enjoy solo and savor the complexity and depth of this lush Cabernet Sauvignon.
Suggested Pairings:
Stuffed bell peppers with Italian sausage
Ossobuco alla Milanese
Grilled flatbread topped with Arugula, Gorgonzola, and Prosciutto
Playing card games with friends by candlelight
Specs
Appellation: Grown organically at the Martorana Estate in Dry Creek Valley
Fermentation: 18 months barrel fermentation - 40% new Bossuet French Oak
Bottling Date: September 2nd, 2021
Alcohol: l4.25%
What’s Included
4-bottles:
1x 2018 Martorana Merlot, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
1x 2019 Martorana Cabernet Sauvignon, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
1x 2019 Martorana Merlot, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
1x 2018 Martorana Cabernet Sauvignon, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County Case:
3x 2018 Martorana Merlot, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
3x 2018 Martorana Cabernet Sauvignon, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
3x 2019 Martorana Merlot, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
3x 2019 Martorana Cabernet Sauvignon, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
The Martorana legacy spans from Italy to Healdsburg, which is fitting, as Healdsburg’s vineyard-lined rolling hills and magnificent sunsets replicate the spectacular scenery of northern Italy.
On the steep hillsides of Santo Stefano, in northwestern Italy, the Accornero family’s five children grew up tending vineyards. In 1939, the two oldest daughters, Clara and Pierina, embarked on a journey to America, while the others remained in Italy, dedicated to working the land, a tradition carried on by their grandchildren to this day.
In 1940, Clara married Anthony Martorana, a young man from Palermo, Sicily Giosso. They settled in San Francisco’s vibrant Mission District and fell in love with their new life. Their son, Anthony, married another native San Franciscan, Diane. In 1983, Tony and Diane fulfilled a longtime dream by purchasing land in the Dry Creek region of Sonoma County. Their frequent picnics in the area through the 1970s had planted the seed of possibility: “One day we should buy a vineyard here…” was frequently uttered as they picnicked. Despite Clara’s initial skepticism, Tony and his cousin Johnny Guisso forged ahead, creating Due Sorelle as their first wine label from the family’s vineyards. Even as a children, Gio and his brother Tony, Diane and Tony’s sons, contributed to the winemaking process, helping pick grapes and produce wine.
Today, the Martorana Family Winery thrives under the stewardship of the next two generations, Tony Martorana and his sons, Tony Junior and Gio. Gio ventured into olive oil production in 1996, inspired by his parents’ trip to Italy, where they acquired a traditional press. Embracing the oldest extraction method, Gio meticulously blends Arbequina, Coratina, Frantoio, Leccino, Manzanillo, Mission, Nebiollo, and Pendolino olive varietals to create Olio di Gio extra virgin olive oil. Handpicked in early winter for maximum flavor intensity, the olives are promptly pressed to preserve antioxidants before being hand-bottled, corked, and waxed at the winery — a labor of love indeed.
In 2005, father and son expanded their operation to include Martorana’s small production of award-winning wines from their certified organic vineyards. Varieties include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Rosé, Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, and their signature red blend, the Mozzafiato. Committed to honoring the traditions of the land they work on, they continue to farm sustainably and with integrity.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Martorana Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
4 bottles for $79.99 $20/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $199.99 $16.67/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
Greetings Casemateys!Lab Rat reporting for duty! I am the lucky recipient of (apparently part of) today’s offering:
2019 Martorana Merlot, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
It’s always a treat to serve duty as a lab rat for our amazing Casemates community, particularly after a craptastic week which finished with a 1 hour 40 minute drive home. Ugh. I opened this bottle at home knowing that I was running across the street to grab dinner. Normally, I would start my report with a “pop and pour” sampling, but I got distracted by a phone call and it was probably a good 30 minutes or so before I even sniffed.
On first pour, the nose is fantastic and leaping out of the glass! Earthy, fruity and rich. I noted plum, dark berries, with herbal notes of thyme and sage. There’s something I’m going to call “woody” for now, but not necessarily oak/barrel. I happily swirled and sniffed for 5+ minutes trying to pick up specific notes before tasting (this is pretty normal for me. I don’t like to taste too soon and taint my perception of the nose). My nose was very happy with this wine.
Tastewise, I noted some solid tannins, though I wouldn’t call it “gippy”, nor would I say smooth. There’s a nice acid backbone. This is where I got a little lost. I really couldn’t taste much of anything, at least at first. Not really fruity or earthy. it took a little time/air to coax the flavors out. I eventually found some notes similar to the nose; plum, blackberry, and those herbal notes. I’m still not sure what the “woody” note is.
I paired the wine with a chopped steak smothered with mushrooms. It was a great pairing. The wine is particularly friendly with the mushrooms!
Overall, I like this wine. I don’t drink a ton of Merlot so I can’t compare it to anything off the top of my head.
I reserved about half of the bottle for further investigation tomorrow. I should be around most of the weekend to supply additional notes, and to answer questions.
As always, thanks the WD, Alice and the folks at Martorana for the opportunity to sample this lovely wine.
CHEERS!!
2019 Martorana Cabernet Sauvignon, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
I’m on my way to an early appointment but I thought I would get started so I could easily finish later. I was sent the 2019 Cab to try. My pleasure!
I’ll get into more detail later BUT I wanted to drop in and give my early impressions for the people looking first thing this morning. Great juice! It is delicious! I’m a sucker for red…and this satisfies.
@kasandrae ok so I had to leave town for the weekend, so I tried it the night before, and brought it with me to try more later.
Still delicious.
This improves with decanting, even though it was drinkable right after opening.
Time will improve it even more.
Drink a few after years tick by. It can hold up well against food. I’d enjoy it by itself though too. Not a fruit bomb. A little spicy. It has depth. It’s dark. Its good.
I’m going to grab a case. It’s a great price for a good taste of a few wines (and I’m a red lover, so this case checks a few boxes). I don’t need it. I didn’t need the last dozen cases and I don’t have room. But I’m buying it anyways because it’s a steal for awesome juice.
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
Martorana Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot - $40 = 16.66%
Martorana Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Thanks for the rat opportunity! This was my favorite bottle I’ve been able to sample so far.
First off, let’s talk about the bottle—it’s a real stunner! I’d proudly bring this beauty to dinner at a friend’s, making everyone wonder if I spent around $50 on it. Spoiler: I didn’t.
Lucky for us, we got a refreshing snap of fall weather just in time! I felt comfortable sampling the day it got delivered so I could taste over three days.
Day 1 - Wednesday Night: Pop! The cork flies out, and I dive in. The aromas? Sour cherry, leather, sandalwood, and a whiff of star anise with a hint of floral pizzazz. The smell was a bit shy, though, like a wallflower at a dance.
The legs on this wine were slow—like my motivation on a Monday morning. Dark, rich purple with a curious orange edge that seemed a bit premature.
First sip? Crickets. A few minutes later, it finally decided to wake up a little, revealing some cherry, raspberry, and plum notes. It was pretty dry—cue the cough! The floral notes came back in a delightful rose surprise.
After an hour, I got a hit of sour candy apple. Yes, please! But my mouth was puckering like I’d just bitten into a lemon. Still plenty of cherry, though. By two hours in, hallelujah! A brightness emerged, with a dash of vanilla to sweeten the deal. Corked and left on counter for the next day. Day 2: Thursday evening. Same acidity, same mouth-pucker, and an explosion of cherry—seriously, it was like a cherry parade in my mouth! My husband preferred it this day, but I wasn’t as convinced. It paired like a dream with pot roast, though! Recorked and put back on counter for the next day.
Day 3: Friday evening. BAM! Now we’re talking! Oak, vanilla, spice—think warm pumpkin pie but without the cinnamon chaos. A touch of sweetness danced on my tongue, rounded out beautifully. The aroma shifted to sweetened prunes, not plums—because who needs that confusion?
There was a jammy candy finish that had my taste buds doing a happy dance. My husband chimed in with a cherry coke comparison, which was surprisingly spot-on. I’m seriously considering getting a case and letting it sit for a while because Day 3 was the grand finale I was waiting for. And just for fun, after Day 3, I had a glass of Inzinerator, and boy did the Incinerator taste like a sweet fruit bomb in comparison! It really put the Martorana 2018 Cab into perspective.
At under $20, this is an absolute steal. Just a heads up—don’t bring this to a party unless you have time to decant. This wine is like that one friend who needs a little time to warm up but then brings the party once they do!
Cheers to this slow, glorious journey!
Note: Posting a tad late as I still don’t have internet after Hurricane Helene and had to hustle to a cafe to upload!
I was recently at this winery and loved their entire lineup. They have a super cool place on the west side of Dry Creek Valley with a great picnic area on Dry Creek. The lineup included a newly released Sauv Blanc and a delicious rose of Zin. I really dug their Cabernet and Merlots. There is a blend called Mozzafiato which is amazing. Small little winery and I met the owner/winemaker who was super friendly. I love wineries like this. The wines rocked.
Quality wine region, I have never heard of this one but it looks like a nice winery and organic. I have lots of wines that I am aging having just bought E11even, Laura Michael and still holding all my Roman Reserve and need some to drink now.
Per the rats, with a couple hours decant this should be excellent for a couple days so in for a case as this is exactly what I am looking for.
2018 Martorana Merlot, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Tasting Notes
Suggested Pairings:
Specs
2018 Martorana Cabernet Sauvignon, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Tasting Notes
Suggested Pairings:
Specs
2019 Martorana Merlot, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Tasting Notes
Suggested Pairings:
Specs
2019 Martorana Cabernet Sauvignon, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Tasting Notes
Suggested Pairings:
Specs
What’s Included
4-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
Not for sale on winery website, $492/case MSRP
About The Winery
Italian Roots + Healdsburg Vines
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Nov 4 - Wednesday, Nov 6
Martorana Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
4 bottles for $79.99 $20/bottle + $2/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $199.99 $16.67/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2018 Merlot
2019 Merlot
2018 Cabernet Sauvignon
2019 Cabernet Sauvignon
Greetings Casemateys!Lab Rat reporting for duty! I am the lucky recipient of (apparently part of) today’s offering:
2019 Martorana Merlot, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
It’s always a treat to serve duty as a lab rat for our amazing Casemates community, particularly after a craptastic week which finished with a 1 hour 40 minute drive home. Ugh. I opened this bottle at home knowing that I was running across the street to grab dinner. Normally, I would start my report with a “pop and pour” sampling, but I got distracted by a phone call and it was probably a good 30 minutes or so before I even sniffed.
On first pour, the nose is fantastic and leaping out of the glass! Earthy, fruity and rich. I noted plum, dark berries, with herbal notes of thyme and sage. There’s something I’m going to call “woody” for now, but not necessarily oak/barrel. I happily swirled and sniffed for 5+ minutes trying to pick up specific notes before tasting (this is pretty normal for me. I don’t like to taste too soon and taint my perception of the nose). My nose was very happy with this wine.
Tastewise, I noted some solid tannins, though I wouldn’t call it “gippy”, nor would I say smooth. There’s a nice acid backbone. This is where I got a little lost. I really couldn’t taste much of anything, at least at first. Not really fruity or earthy. it took a little time/air to coax the flavors out. I eventually found some notes similar to the nose; plum, blackberry, and those herbal notes. I’m still not sure what the “woody” note is.
I paired the wine with a chopped steak smothered with mushrooms. It was a great pairing. The wine is particularly friendly with the mushrooms!
Overall, I like this wine. I don’t drink a ton of Merlot so I can’t compare it to anything off the top of my head.
I reserved about half of the bottle for further investigation tomorrow. I should be around most of the weekend to supply additional notes, and to answer questions.
As always, thanks the WD, Alice and the folks at Martorana for the opportunity to sample this lovely wine.
CHEERS!!
2019 Martorana Cabernet Sauvignon, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
I’m on my way to an early appointment but I thought I would get started so I could easily finish later. I was sent the 2019 Cab to try. My pleasure!
I’ll get into more detail later BUT I wanted to drop in and give my early impressions for the people looking first thing this morning. Great juice! It is delicious! I’m a sucker for red…and this satisfies.
@kasandrae ok so I had to leave town for the weekend, so I tried it the night before, and brought it with me to try more later.
Still delicious.
This improves with decanting, even though it was drinkable right after opening.
Time will improve it even more.
Drink a few after years tick by. It can hold up well against food. I’d enjoy it by itself though too. Not a fruit bomb. A little spicy. It has depth. It’s dark. Its good.
I’m going to grab a case. It’s a great price for a good taste of a few wines (and I’m a red lover, so this case checks a few boxes). I don’t need it. I didn’t need the last dozen cases and I don’t have room. But I’m buying it anyways because it’s a steal for awesome juice.
VAN GOGH! MANGO! TANGO! AWESOME!
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: tax and shipping are not included in savings calculations.)
Martorana Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot - $40 = 16.66%
Martorana Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Thanks for the rat opportunity! This was my favorite bottle I’ve been able to sample so far.
First off, let’s talk about the bottle—it’s a real stunner! I’d proudly bring this beauty to dinner at a friend’s, making everyone wonder if I spent around $50 on it. Spoiler: I didn’t.
Lucky for us, we got a refreshing snap of fall weather just in time! I felt comfortable sampling the day it got delivered so I could taste over three days.
Day 1 - Wednesday Night: Pop! The cork flies out, and I dive in. The aromas? Sour cherry, leather, sandalwood, and a whiff of star anise with a hint of floral pizzazz. The smell was a bit shy, though, like a wallflower at a dance.
The legs on this wine were slow—like my motivation on a Monday morning. Dark, rich purple with a curious orange edge that seemed a bit premature.
First sip? Crickets. A few minutes later, it finally decided to wake up a little, revealing some cherry, raspberry, and plum notes. It was pretty dry—cue the cough! The floral notes came back in a delightful rose surprise.
After an hour, I got a hit of sour candy apple. Yes, please! But my mouth was puckering like I’d just bitten into a lemon. Still plenty of cherry, though. By two hours in, hallelujah! A brightness emerged, with a dash of vanilla to sweeten the deal. Corked and left on counter for the next day.
Day 2: Thursday evening. Same acidity, same mouth-pucker, and an explosion of cherry—seriously, it was like a cherry parade in my mouth! My husband preferred it this day, but I wasn’t as convinced. It paired like a dream with pot roast, though! Recorked and put back on counter for the next day.
Day 3: Friday evening. BAM! Now we’re talking! Oak, vanilla, spice—think warm pumpkin pie but without the cinnamon chaos. A touch of sweetness danced on my tongue, rounded out beautifully. The aroma shifted to sweetened prunes, not plums—because who needs that confusion?
There was a jammy candy finish that had my taste buds doing a happy dance. My husband chimed in with a cherry coke comparison, which was surprisingly spot-on. I’m seriously considering getting a case and letting it sit for a while because Day 3 was the grand finale I was waiting for. And just for fun, after Day 3, I had a glass of Inzinerator, and boy did the Incinerator taste like a sweet fruit bomb in comparison! It really put the Martorana 2018 Cab into perspective.
At under $20, this is an absolute steal. Just a heads up—don’t bring this to a party unless you have time to decant. This wine is like that one friend who needs a little time to warm up but then brings the party once they do!
Cheers to this slow, glorious journey!
Note: Posting a tad late as I still don’t have internet after Hurricane Helene and had to hustle to a cafe to upload!
I was recently at this winery and loved their entire lineup. They have a super cool place on the west side of Dry Creek Valley with a great picnic area on Dry Creek. The lineup included a newly released Sauv Blanc and a delicious rose of Zin. I really dug their Cabernet and Merlots. There is a blend called Mozzafiato which is amazing. Small little winery and I met the owner/winemaker who was super friendly. I love wineries like this. The wines rocked.
This looks really good. Surprised there’s not more action on the page. Thanks Rats.
In for a case!
@FritzCat I was thinking the same thing
@FritzCat @marjoryk
still missing that '18 Merlot Rat
@FritzCat @marjoryk @rjquillin and winery participation would have helped - on the fence but may stump up for a 4 pack
@FritzCat @marjoryk @rjquillin
I was the 2019 Merlot rat. The 2018 rat is missing in action…or passed out.
@FritzCat @karenhynes @marjoryk @ctmariner
oops, fat fingers; right you are…
participation? yes, always!
Quality wine region, I have never heard of this one but it looks like a nice winery and organic. I have lots of wines that I am aging having just bought E11even, Laura Michael and still holding all my Roman Reserve and need some to drink now.
Per the rats, with a couple hours decant this should be excellent for a couple days so in for a case as this is exactly what I am looking for.