By Martin Ray Winery
Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

History
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. Our passion is to make each wine an exploration of place. Built on the foundation of cultivating relationships with growers across an array of distinctive regions, we use traditional and modern winemaking methods to create a portfolio of terroir-driven wines of beauty, depth, and distinction.

Vintage
The 2023 vintage in Napa Valley began with a wet, cool winter and spring that delayed bud break and flowering, setting the tone for a later-than-average harvest. A mild summer allowed fruit to ripen at an even pace, and an extended growing season brought excellent hang time. The result is a vintage defined by freshness, balance, and refined structure - an ideal year for crafting elegant, age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignon.

Production
Classic, labor-intensive, small-lot winemaking techniques were implemented. Mentioning our range of Reserve Cabernet Sauvignons is where we typically receive most of our quizzical stares. As the rest of the Russian River Valley is finishing harvesting their final lots of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, we are waist-deep in Cabernet from various, well-known AVAs within Napa Valley, and even later in the season, from the Santa Cruz Mountains. The grapes are sorted and destemmed similarly to our Pinot Noir, but fermentation is handled with significant differences. First off, although we do ferment some lots in our stainless steel open tops, we have integrated a half dozen French oak fermenters, and for several vintages now, have fermented some of the particularly small lots in new French upright puncheon barrels. Once these tanks have gone dry, we warm the must and allow the tanks and puncheons to sit close to a month on their skins to soften tannins, build mouthfeel, and help with early integration of aromas, flavors, and phenolics.
[Information provided by Martin Ray Winery]
[Information is not vintage specific]

Wine: Martin Ray Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Howell Mountain 2023
Score/Rating: 96
Review Date: 02/23/2026
Reviewed By: James Suckling
Tasting Notes: Aromas of blackberries, black currants and undertones of forest flowers, pine and spices, following through to a medium body with juicy fruit and creamy tannins. Dark fruit at the end. Tight. Drink or hold.