Louis Martini Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Louis Martini Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 is a Bordeaux-style Napa Valley red blend at 14.8% ABV in a standard 750ml bottle. Awarded 94 points by Wine Enthusiast — who called it "superconcentrated" with "thick, velvety tannins" — and a Gold medal at the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition, this vintage represents one of the strongest recent releases from the historic Louis M. Martini Winery.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.8%  |  Origin: Napa Valley, California  |  Vintage: 2019  |  Producer: Louis M. Martini Winery

Production & Heritage

Louis M. Martini Winery was founded in 1933, making it one of Napa Valley's oldest continuously operating wineries. The 2019 vintage is a blend of 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Malbec — a true Bordeaux-variety composition — aged for 16 months in oak barrels. Wine critics have noted that Louis Martini's house style evokes a classic, restrained approach to Napa Cabernet, reminiscent of the way the region's wines tasted in the 1980s before the trend toward bigger, higher-alcohol expressions took hold.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with generous dark plum and cassis, followed by wisps of fennel and black licorice. Deeper in the glass, subtle hints of vanilla, herbs, and cocoa emerge.

Taste: The entry is rich with dark cherry and blackcurrant fruit that quickly expands across the mid-palate with layers of baking spice, black licorice, and gravelly earthiness. Gentle oak tannins and medium acidity create a silky mouthfeel, while elements of red cherry and torn mint add complexity at the peak.

Finish: Long and lingering, with dark chocolate, mocha, and resinous oak notes persisting well after each sip. The tannins hold firm through the close, giving the wine structure without astringency.

How to Drink Louis Martini Napa Cab

This wine is best served at 60–65°F in a large-bowled glass. Decanting for 30–45 minutes will open up the layered aromatics and soften the tannins, though it drinks well without extensive aeration. For cocktail-adjacent serves, the 2019's bold fruit and structured tannins make it an excellent base for a classic Kalimotxo (red wine and cola) if you enjoy the casual Spanish tradition, a rich Red Wine Sangria built with brandy and stone fruit to amplify the plum notes, or a warming Mulled Wine with cinnamon, star anise, and orange peel that complements the existing baking-spice character.

Best For

• Hosting a steakhouse-quality dinner at home
• Gifting a Napa Valley Cabernet enthusiast on a milestone occasion
• Building a cellar with age-worthy Napa reds from a proven vintage
• Bringing a crowd-pleasing yet critically acclaimed bottle to a dinner party

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Louis Martini Napa Cab taste like? The dominant profile centers on dark cherry, cassis, and black plum layered with baking spice, dark chocolate, and mocha. Velvety tannins and moderate acidity give the wine a silky, full-bodied texture with a long finish.

How does Louis Martini Napa Cab compare to Cakebread Cellars Napa Cabernet? Both are widely recognized Napa Valley Cabernets, but Louis Martini tends toward a more classically structured, restrained style with earthy undertones, while Cakebread Cellars generally leans into riper, more fruit-forward expression. At its price tier, Louis Martini typically represents a more accessible entry point to Napa Cabernet than Cakebread.

Is Louis Martini Napa Cab good for sipping neat? Absolutely — this is a wine designed for drinking on its own or alongside food. Its balance of fruit concentration, integrated oak, and moderate tannins makes it approachable without food, though a brief decant will bring out its full complexity.

Where is Louis Martini Napa Cab made? It is produced by the Louis M. Martini Winery, located in the town of St. Helena in Napa Valley, California. The winery has been operating since 1933 and is one of Napa's most established producers.

What foods pair well with Louis Martini Napa Cab? Grilled ribeye steak pairs naturally with the wine's bold tannins and dark fruit. Braised short ribs echo the mocha and dark chocolate notes. Aged cheddar or Gruyère complement the earthy undertones. Herb-crusted lamb chops mirror the herbal aromatics, and dark chocolate desserts — particularly a flourless chocolate cake — align with the finish.

What sizes does Louis Martini Napa Cab come in? The standard offering is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format for this wine.

Is Louis Martini Napa Cab worth the price? Louis Martini's Napa Valley Cabernet consistently positions as a mid-range Napa Cab that punches well above its price tier. A 94-point score from Wine Enthusiast and a Gold at the Hong Kong IWSC for this 2019 vintage suggest strong critical consensus that the wine delivers premium quality relative to its cost.

Why Louis Martini Napa Cab?

In a market saturated with modern, high-extraction Napa Cabernets, the Louis Martini 2019 stands apart by embracing a more classical, balanced style that critics have compared to the region's wines from the 1980s. The 94-point Wine Enthusiast rating and Hong Kong IWSC Gold validate the quality of the 2019 vintage specifically. Its five-grape Bordeaux-style blend — with Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec rounding out the Cabernet Sauvignon base — adds a layered complexity that straight varietal bottlings often lack. For anyone seeking a serious Napa Cabernet with proven critical acclaim and decades of winemaking heritage behind it, this vintage is a compelling choice.