Martin Ray Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
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The 2005 harvest was an excellent vintage for Napa Valley, producing moderate cropyields. The slow ripening season without heat spikes contributes to the positive qualities of the fruit: intense color,concentrated flavors and beautiful aromatics. The vintage of 2005 promise wines with elegance, balance and structure.
The winemaking methods used in creating the Cabernet Sauvignon are the sameas those perfected by the legendary Martin Ray over sixty years ago. Although labor intensive, these traditional techniques produce distinctly enhanced flavors and texture in our wines. Two weeks of open-topped fermentationand hand-punch down are time-honored winemaking practices that create rich structure in the wine. Minimal SO2 usage preserves fruit intensity and enhances rich, round tannins. Thirty-six months in French oak—45 percent in newoak barrels and 65 percent in 1–4 year old oak barrels—intensifies the complexity and character of the wine. The Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon is a tightly wound wine with a rich, concentrated structure and layers ofwell-integrated flavors. Enticing aromas of sumptuous cherries, black currants and ripe plums are accented by hints of vanilla oak that lead to a long, rich finish.
Pair the elegant Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon with your favorite heartybeef stew, rib roast or roast prime rib with peppercorns.
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Diamond Mountain, rising above St. Helena in the Mayacamas range, always produces very tannic wines, but in the best of cases, such as this Cab, they're also lush and approachable at a young age. Made from 100% varietal grapes, it's deep and dense in black currants and chocolate, with forest notes of wild herbs and lavender. New oak provides even richer levels of smoke, caramel and vanilla. Now through 2013.
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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, 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”. They are relentlessat telling the story of wine. The depth of the portfolio offers those seeking a unique experience the chance to explore some of the most revered regionsin California. Fromthe Russian River Valley to Napa Valley and the Santa Cruz Mountains, there is an abundance of phenomenal growing regions, great farming, and meticulous detail to vintages.
One of the most prestigious wines of the world capable of great power and grace, Napa Valley Cabernet is a leading force in the world of fine, famous, collectible red wine. Today the Napa Valley and Cabernet Sauvignon are so intrinsically linked that it is difficult to discuss one without the other. But it wasn’t until the 1970s that this marriage came to light; sudden international recognition rained upon Napa with the victory of the Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon in the 1976 Judgement of Paris.
Cabernet Sauvignon undoubtedly dominates Napa Valley today, covering half of the land under vine, commanding the highest prices per ton and earning the most critical acclaim. Cabernet Sauvignon’s structure, acidity, capacity to thrive in multiple environs and ability to express nuances of vintage make it perfect for Napa Valley where incredible soil and geographical diversity are found and the climate is perfect for grape growing. Within the Napa Valley lie many smaller sub-AVAs that express specific characteristics based on situation, slope and soil—as a perfect example, Rutherford’s famous dust or Stags Leap District's tart cherry flavors.