Marietta Cellars OVR Lot 73 Proprietary Blend

N/V Marietta Cellars OVR Lot 73

95 RP

From the critics:

91 JS

The NV OVR Lot 73 is composed mainly of Zinfandel with smaller portions of Syrah, Petite Sirah, Carignan and Barbera. Medium ruby, it offers intense red cherry, blood orange and apricot perfume with accents of rooibos tea leaves, red licorice, saline, lilac and loads of spicy nuances. The medium-bodied palate is light on its feet with soft tannins, bursts of refreshing acidity and detailed amaro accents on the long finish. This is so easy to drink!

Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 95 RP

Lovely aromas of pitted red cherries, black cherries, moss and walnut. Medium-to full-bodied with gentle tannins. Nice intensity with lovely length. Juicy, with so much herbal complexity and black fruit. Predominantly zinfandel, with syrah, petite sirah, grenache, barbera, carignan. Drink now.

James Suckling | 91 JS

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	Proprietary Blend : Proprietary Blend is a general term used to indicate that a wine is comprised of multiple grape varietals which are either “proprietary” to the winery or is blended and does not meet the required maximum or minimum percentage of a particular varietal. This also is the case for the grape’s place of origin, especially for region, appellation or vineyard designated wines. There are endless examples of blended wines which are labeled as “Proprietary Blend” and in conjunction with each region’s stipulated wine laws and regulations makes for a vast blanket for wines to fall into. Perhaps the simplest example is California; if a wine is to be labeled as Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, it is required to have at least 75% of the varietal (Cabernet Sauvignon) and 85% of the fruit must be cultivated from the Napa Valley wine district. If the wine does not meet the requirements, it is then labeled as Proprietary Blend.
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	Sonoma
Appellation	Sonoma
Climat/Vineyard	Sonoma

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.