Martin Estate - Rutherford District, Napa Valley

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Martin Estate among the top of California Cabernet producers

To say that Martin Estate is steeped in tradition and possesses a marvelous heritage would be a serious understatement of fact. It would be more correct to suggest that the small (12-acre) Rutherford winery is a perfect facsimile of the dedication to historical accuracy of its owners, Greg and Petra Martin.
For the record, Martin Estate traces back to part of the original Mexican land grant accorded Captain George Yount in 1836. More than three decades later, in 1870, Napa Valley pioneer and former sheriff Henry Harris paid 600 gold coins to Yount's Estate for some 100 acres of the rich farmland. Another part of Yount's original acreage was willed to the thriving town that today bears his name.
Henry Harris built a new winery on the property in 1887 and began producing wine. Around 1909, Harris leased his facility to the soon to be renowned George de Latour (of Beaulieu Vineyard fame) who was looking for a site to produce the first of his world class, award winning wines.
In 1941, the imposing stone edifice was renamed Puerta Dorada, and transformed into an elegant country chateau. The next fifty years took its toll on the marvelous place and it fell into a sad state of disrepair.
In 1996, Greg and Petra Martin happened upon the site and started the venerable estate's modern renaissance.
Greg Martin, now a youngish 65, is a California native from the Santa Clara Valley and admits to making wine at the age of twelve, " before I was even legally able to either buy or drink wine."
Greg built his business of collecting arms and armor into a national auction house, with offices in both New York and San Francisco. He is recognized as a world authority on arms and armor collection, and the Martin Estate wine label bears testament to his continued involvement in that historic and colorful pastime.
He is also quite proud of the fact that the Martin Estate property lends itself to its present 18th Century decor, where he and Petra have matched the furnishings to the era, with incredible results.
"It is almost as if Martin Estate is an illuminated manuscript," he related. "We have tried to blend the modern and old and span the ages. When we first started out, all Petra wanted was a small place in the country for our daughter Greta, who is now 12. It's actually been a great adventure for us and we are delighted with the way everything turned out."
With the property's natural wine pedigree, Greg Martin started out planting some vines with the intention of selling them to his neighbors (Caymus, among others), but soon changed his mind. After all, he had continued his boyhood tradition of making wine and the results of his first bottlings were too good to believe.
Martin began serious wine making and released the first 850 cases of Martin Estate wine in 2001. It was no real surprise to anyone in or around Rutherford that his first releases met with resounding critical acclaim. As a wine entity, Martin Estate has prospered but its production has continued around the 800-900 case level and intends to remain so in the future.
"We are a true small production winery and will always remain so," Martin added. "Every single aspect of the wine is created here at the estate, from growing through ageing and bottling. It tends to be my baby and I can control every aspect and watch over it. Our production level is as much now as it will ever be."
Incredibly refreshing words from a winery owner in a world of ever widening production levels from most wineries, even those in the smallish categories. Greg is also proud of the fact that Petra (who has a law degree from Germany) takes care of many of the daily office duties and is responsible for the company's imposing website.
For the pair, their Martin Estate is an obvious labor of love that is also a very serious winery in an industry crowded with competitors of every , shape and color.
The wine industry needs more Martin Estates, where smaller is better and whose words are backed up by its actions.

FEATURED WINES

Martin Estate 2001 Reserve Cabernet

Recently, at a special, invitation-only tasting in the historic barrel room of the Niebaum-Coppola Winery gathered Rutherford Appellation’s finest wineries showing their latest releases. There among the pillars of Napa giants stood unknown and tiny newcomer, Martin Estate Winery. Proving that good news travels fast in the wine industry, the room soon echoed the praises of the Martin Estate 2001 Reserve Cabernet. It was clearly the best wine being poured at the event.

Led by multi-layered aromas of cassis, oak, toast and tea. The wine itself revealsa fabulous, sweet and textured mid-palate progressing to impressive flavors of ripe currants, black cherries and cassis fruit with remarkable concentration and richness. Full-bodied, beautifully balanced, and a terrifically long finish. A magnificent winethat immediately places Martin Estate among the top of California Cabernet producers.

The Martins have never felt compelled to send their wine to competitions or wine reviewers however they do maintain a growing collection of quotes from top Sommeliers who proudly serve Martin Estate wine in their restaurants. (You can find them at www.martinestate.com)

“A great wine to me does not express one quality, such as fruit or oak. A truly great wine shows many layers of flavor, which Martin Estate Reserve shows in the purest form.”—Mark Bright, Sommelier, Michael Mina restaurant, San Francisco.

“A wine reminiscent of the great 2000 Chateau Margaux . . . giant amounts of cassis and rich ripe cherry, the oak is very much in balance and tastes rich and dark with a touch of creaminess. This wine will age beautifully for at least the next 15 years, and maybe much more.” —Paul Einbund, Sommelier, Tartare restaurant, San Francisco.

“ . . it is my passion to be able to present a fine wine to really cool people who appreciate it. 2001 Martin Estate is the best Cabernet that I have had in a long time.” Tammy Ruesenberg, Sommelier, Olives restaurant, Las Vegas.

“ . . . at the end of the day there are some wines that are just more memorable. There is something about them that makes them stand out from the crowd, the cream of the top—[a] wine I could not forget: 2001 Martin Estate: Great work from this exciting newcomer.” Pierre du Mont, Piedmont Post.

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