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Napa is Cab country. Everyone knows it. Everyone drinks it. But every now and then, a Pinot comes along that’s so bold, so textured, so damn irresistible, it makes Cabernet look over its shoulder.

This is that wine.

Greg Martellotto’s Velvet Riff doesn’t tiptoe in with shy, airy fruit. It strides in with layers of ripe black cherry, dark plum, and wild strawberry, wrapped in silky tannins and laced with a whisper of exotic spice. The texture is pure luxury — velvet, as the name promises — but the power is all Napa.

This isn’t made in big numbers. Most people won’t even know it exists. And those who do will wish they bought more.

If you think Pinot can’t own the stage in Napa, one glass of Velvet Riff will change your mind.

In the rolling hills of California Wine Country, there's a story that wine critics whisper about in hushed, reverent tones. It's the story of Greg Martellotto, a man whose Italian bloodline carries centuries of winemaking wisdom, and whose obsessive pursuit of perfection has created something extraordinary.

2025 marks the 20th vintage for Martellotto Winery. Since 2005, Greg has been crafting wines in his family's tradition, using techniques passed down through generations of Italian vintners. But this isn't your typical family story. Greg took those ancestral secrets and spent decades refining them, perfecting them, pushing them beyond what even his forefathers imagined possible. His mastery recently earned him recognition as a certified Italian Wine Ambassador—one of only 450 people worldwide to receive this prestigious honor.

The result? Wines so exceptional that they've been flying completely under the radar, known only to a select few who stumble upon Martellotto's tiny production runs of fewer than 8,000 cases per year. For years, Greg's wines quietly earned 90+ ratings and collected double gold medals in blind competitions.

The 2023 Napa Valley vintage isn’t just another great year – it’s the year that will be etched in history. Wine experts are calling it "the vintage of a lifetime," and for good reason. The perfect blend of cool temperatures, morning fog, and balanced sunlight created conditions so exceptional, they’re being compared to Bordeaux's iconic 1961 vintage. As The Wine Independent put it, 2023 is "a winemaker's dream in terms of wine style." Wine Bible author Karen MacNeil calls it "one of the most phenomenal vintages ever in Napa Valley." This is Napa at its finest, with wines of depth, power, and elegance that will be the talk of the wine world for decades to come.

Appearance:
Garnet with a glimmer of crimson at the rim, like candlelight dancing on velvet.

Aroma (Nose):
The glass opens with plush raspberry compote—ripe but elegant—layered with whispers of wild strawberry, rose petal perfume, and a dash of baking spice (think clove and star anise). There's a hint of crushed forest floor that whispers "mystery" without overshadowing the fruit.

Palate:
Silky silk—like satin caressing your tongue. The cherry fruit arrives first: juicy, yet refined. Raspberries and pomegranate tease out as the core mid-palate dances with dried rose, a sliver of truffle, and that perfect pinch of white pepper that gives just enough intrigue. The tannins are velvet ribbons—not gripping, but present enough to frame the flavors.

Structure & Acidity:
Bright enough to keep you intrigued, deftly balanced so your mid-palate stays lit on your tongue. Acidity is refreshing—not a mouth-pucker, but lively, keeping everything electric.

Finish:
Long and lingering—imagine the hush after a lover’s whisper. This tastes like a MUCH more expensive wine! Bold cherry bramble, lip smacking delicious, and a touch of French oak spice fade slowly, like the lingering warmth of an embrace.

As the name suggests, this wine is all velvet and silk. Ripe cherry fruit and cherrywood accents frame walnut and apricot pit notes, while firm, sinewy tannins carry a cocoa-powder quality. The finish lingers with a graceful flourish of rose aromatics. ~92 Decanter Magazine

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