2007 Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County

We all know that ’07 was a great vintage for the Napa Valley, and with Sonoma being so close, you have to assume that the wines are great there as well.  Year in year out, Louis Martini is making decent, affordable daily drinkers that are good QPR’s.  This bottle is yet another example of that, and at $12, it’s a good bargain.  I picked up a few of these at the Class 6 on McGuire Air Force Base, NJ, and they are just good sipper on the bistro.

Popped and poured this tonight at cellar temperature (55 degrees), and this had a nice dark purple, grapey color in the Riedel.  Immediately, the nose showed much better than previous bottles(last bottle I rated 82 points).  Note that this would definitely benefit from a few hours in the decanter, and better yet, another 5 years in the bottle.  Lots of dark fruits on the palate of raspberry jam and strawberry, with hints of oak, mocha, and currants.  Subtle herb and spice round out the palate, with the slightest hint of cinnamon.

On the palate, this makes for a nice daily drinker.  More jammy dark fruits of boysenberry, blackberry, black cherry, and raspberry, with some nice vanilla and chocolate tons.  There is definitely some acidity and tannin on the finish, and this will mellow out with some more bottle time.  All in all, with a few years in the bottle this will become a much better wine, but for around $10, what do you want?  85 points!  Cheers!