2019 Marietta Cellars Arme Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon

2019 Marietta Cellars Arme Cabernet Sauvignon

94 RP

Featured Review

The 2019 Armé Cabernet Sauvignon has a medium ruby-purple color and layered aromas of red and black currants, violet, iron, underbrush and mushrooms. The medium-bodied palate is pleasantly rustic and a touch chewy, with bright acidity, pretty floral perfume and an earth-laced finish. Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Robert Parker | 94 RP

Type of Wine	California Red : Whether it's Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah or Zinfandel, Californian red wine producers have a lovely habit of taking a varietal and expressing its essence in a unique, never before seen way. From Napa Valley to the regions south of Los Angeles, there's a red for everyone - and it's never too late to start exploring.
Varietal	Cabernet Sauvignon : It is recognized worldwide, referred to as “king of grapes” and has easily become the most popular grape variety in the world. Cabernet Sauvignon has seemingly taken the world by storm. It has seen exponential growth and popularity in American and around the world over the past thirty years. The phrase “Cabernet is king,” is a common maxim in the world of wine. Cabernet Sauvignon wine has become so popular that when being referred to can be recognized by simple slang, such as “Cab” or “Cabernet. It might appear simple, straightforward and easily understood; yet, interestingly remains an enigma, which has both baffled and excited oenologists since its discovery. The exact origin and circumstances of this world-altering event are still enigmatic; however, at the end of the 20th century, UC Davis Scientists (John Bowers and Carole Meredith) were able to solve part of the mystery using DNA fingerprinting technology that proved Cabernet Sauvignon to be the offspring of a surprising spontaneous crossing of Bordeaux varietals, Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. By the 18th century there were already records of Cabernet Sauvignon being well-established on the west side of the Gironde Estuary (Left Bank) in the Medoc and Graves. Although tremendously popular in California and what seems to have become the identity of Napa Valley winemaking, Cabernet Sauvignon’s birth took place in the Bordeaux region of southwest France by fortuitous unification. Whereas Napa Valley experienced a winemaking renaissance during the 1970’s and 1980s (greatly due to the 1976 Judgement of Paris) quality wine from the Cabernet Sauvignon grape has been produced in the Medoc, on the Left Bank of Bordeaux for over 400 years. Cabernet Sauvignon’s first recorded plantings in California can be traced back to the 1850’s when Antoine Delmas, a French nurseryman, brought French vines (including one called ‘Cabrunet’) to the Santa Clara Valley. Early cultivation suffered due to obscurity of the varietal and improper planting in inhospitable soil. It wasn’t until pioneers such as Robert Mondavi, Randy Dunn and Warren Winiarski with their amazing foresight and understanding of terroir, would the grape variety finally find its niche in California winemaking. Cabernet Sauvignon thrives in warm climates moderated by a cooling marine influence. It is perfectly attuned to gravel-based soils with good drainage. Whether on flat land or a hillside, the Cabernet Sauvignon grape flourishes in proper climates and terroir, producing incredible yields. The thick grapevine is extremely vigorous allowing it to exploit its natural host. Its distinctive small, black berries (reminiscent of blueberries) adhere firmly to the stalk and are capable of a very long “hang time.” These berries are extremely concentrated, producing intensely flavored fruit. The thick skins of the grape are characterized as having highly astringent flavor, high tannin, acidity and dark color. Coincidentally, the variety has a special affinity for oak, which helps soften the bitterness. Today, the Noble Bordeaux varietal of Cabernet Sauvignon is planted on 340,000 hectares (741,300 acres) of vineyards across the earth’s surface. From Sicily to Sonoma, Chile to Bordeaux, South Africa to Napa. It has found symbiosis in terroir hotspots that mimic that of the Medoc and Napa Valley. Cabernet Sauvignon’s globetrotting has allowed the grape variety to take root all over the world, captivating its inhabitants and influencing winemaking. This serendipitous marriage between Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc centuries ago, which offered to the world its progeny, has changed the landscape of winegrowing, winemaking and the face of the entire wine market forever. It has influenced blending, changed civilization and has cultivated a place for itself in today’s world… the very pinnacle.
Country	US : As one of the most prolific and innovative wine regions in the world, America is a joy to explore. Most wine connoisseurs will agree that the nation's finest and most compelling wines are being produced today, which means that we have front-row seats to one of the most inspirational stories in wine history. While other regions tend to focus on specific wine styles and have somewhat strict rules as to which varietals you could grow, areas like California have few such restrictions in place. As a result, creative visionaries behind America's most reputable estates have been able to develop compelling, unique, and innovative styles, with a level of terroir expression that rivals even France's largest giants.
Region	California : With a history of wine production that dates back to the 18th century, California currently sits as one of the world's most prolific and reputable wine regions. With an area as vast as California, you can expect a colorful collage of terroir profiles, a series of microclimates, and micro-environments that give the wine a unique, memorable appeal. The region's produce is far from homogenized in that sense, and it would take you countless hours to sample all of it. While the region boasts scars from the Prohibition era, it went through what can only be described as a viticultural Renaissance sometime after the 1960s. At that point, California went from a port-style, sweet wine region to a versatile and compelling competitor on the world market. Today, no matter which way your taste in wine leans, you can find a new favorite producer among California's most talented. Notable sub-regions include legendary names like Napa Valley and Sonoma County, places that any wine lover would die to visit. California's quintessential warm climate allows for incredibly ripe fruit expressions, a style that provides a stark contrast to Old World-inspired, earthy classics. Even where inspiration was clearly taken from staple French appellations, Californian winemakers put their own unique spin on the wine.
Subregion	Mendocino County
Appellation	McDowell Valley
Cru	Estate Grown

Producer	Marietta Cellars : When stories begin with memories of magical occurrences in one’s life, there must be something truly profound about to be expressed. This is exactly how the unassuming, limelight evading and humble owner and winemaker of Marietta Cellars, Scot Bilbro, opens in his story of the family estate and more importantly, his dad. In an industry where large corporations are acquiring every winery available, something can be said for family operated wine estates. The second generation winemaker is respecting the land, perpetuating family history, and honoring instilled values and the legacy of his father by producing high quality, honest wines at honest prices that are demanding the attention of consumers and professional critics alike. The stories of Scot’s childhood are warm and thought-provoking, allowing a glimpse of the early foundation imparted on the man who now does magic of his own. He reminisces of his father “doing magic” which he describes as every day fantastical adventures in the winery, creating suits of armor out of cardboard, building forts from wine pallets and stories of long vanished crusaders. Family meals were eaten outside at sunset, his father blending fruity Zinfandel and hefty Petit Sirah with spicy ribs so that dinner would become a special ending to another day filled with crazy ingenuity and thrill. Scot states, “Somewhere along the way, I too learned how to make wine by magic. The work became play. Calculation merged with creativity and methodology gave way to marvel. “ Since 2012, when he assumed the role of winemaker, Scot has led Marietta into the future, bringing the estate to greater heights. Steeped in the history of California viticulture and the way the winery has worked since his father started Marietta, Scot combines his creativity and his technical background in leading the winery’s viticulture and winemaking. The combination of traditional styles and values with modern precision have resulted in what have been the most highly regarded wines in Marietta’s four decade history. The estate’s wines have garnered the praise and affection of consumers around the country, and has captured the attention of professional wine reviewers such as Antonio Galloni and Jeb Dunnuck, who have awarded both the “Family Series” and “Single Estate Series” portfolios with impressive marks. The vineyards of Marietta drape the hills and valleys of beautiful Sonoma County, one of the most important winegrowing locations in California. Each of their three vineyard locations, Geyserville, McDowell and Yorkville are planted to varietals which grow in perfect harmony with the locale’s exceptional terroir and micro-climate. Geyserville’s topography consists of river land marked by hillside terraces, with deep gravel swale in the valley and rocky hills. Thirty-five acres are cultivated with Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Syrah, and is where their highly rated Angeli Zinfandel is sourced. The McDowell Vineyard is 270 acres planted to Rhone varietals and has some of the oldest Syrah and Grenache Gris in California (Gibson Block). The terroir consists of deep, rich, consistent soil above a thin layer of clay. The surrounding mountains create a deep, round valley that traps cooling night airs. Yorkville is their smallest vineyard site (10 acres of leased land) but very important as their Game Trail Cabernet hails from this location. Cabernet Sauvignon is planted at the lofty elevation of 1400 feet above sea level, surrounded by rugged land overrun with deer, wild pigs and oak trees. The combination of its coastal influence and late growing season produces extremely dark, concentrated, intense wines with retained acidity. In addition to the above listed “Single Estate” wines (Gibson Block, Angeli and Game Trail) Marietta produces Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (Armi – Family Series), Estate Zinfandel (Roman – Family Series), Dry Riesling (Nadi – Family Series) and Estate Grown Rhone Blend (Christo – Family Series). Their Old Vine Series, affectionately known as OVR, consists of Old Vine Red, Old Vine Riesling and Old Vine Rose. The entire collection accounts for approximately 70,000 cases each year. Marietta Cellars is still performing magic: transforming belief, hard work, a blessed climate and extraordinary land into beautiful liquid expressions of family and place. A family that places creativity over integration, possibility over standards in a place that is both a historical and exceptional winegrowing location and their home.