Louis Martini "The Gryphon" Cabernet Sauvignon

The winery's new flagship red, Gryphon, is a full-bodied, layered and sophisticated wine that's elegant yet well structured in tannins. It offers flower, iron and sage aromas, then focused black cherries, blueberries, spearmint and handsome oak spices on the palate. The cabernet sauvignon grapes are blended with 4% cabernet franc, 3% merlot and 2% malbec. Drink now or hold.

Super perfumed and fresh, this wine opens with lovely sweet baking spice, high-toned dusty minerality, and notes of mocha and bay laurel. The palate is super creamy, showcasing dark-toned fruit, red cherry, and plum, with layers of graphite and firm, taut tannins that grip the sides of the palate like a great Barolo. The structure is sound, balancing freshness with excellent fruit depth and mid-palate weight. The finish lingers with loamy earth and mineral complexity, adding further dimension. Aged for 19 months in barrique, 55% new oak, this wine is primarily sourced from the southern reaches of Napa Valley, with a touch of mountain fruit layering in additional texture and grip. This is the inaugural vintage of this wine and a watershed moment in the winery’s history, marking a shift as production levels have decreased dramatically. This will be the estate's flagship red, sourced from longtime growers and estate fruit – one to watch.

The Cabernet Sauvignon The Gryphon is a new wine from Louis M. Martini. Intended as more of an entry-level offering, it offers fine quality and value for Napa Valley. The Gryphon is a blend from several top sites. Dark red cherry, plum, gravel, spice and rose petal open with air. Pretty savory and mineral accents punctuate the finish. This is very nicely done.

Released in February 2025, Martini's 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon The Gryphon draws its fruit largely from southern Napa, blending 91% Cabernet Sauvignon with 4% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot and 2% Malbec. Understated and restrained, it's gently fragrant, with floral hints accompanying cassis and blackberries on the nose, while the palate is medium- to full-bodied, silky and streamlined, the finish defined by fine-grained tannins and a fine sense of balance.