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Let’s get this out of the way: This is a Napa Cabernet like no other. Sourced from a vineyard tucked in Stags Leap District, it sits right next to some of Napa’s heavyweights—Shafer ($200+/bottle), Cliff Lede ($150), and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars ($100).

Same region, same terroir, same near-perfect growing conditions.

But here’s the twist: This wine comes at a price you wouldn’t expect from a vineyard this exclusive. We can’t tell you the exact vineyard due to an NDA, but trust us when we say the grapes come from one of Napa’s most sought-after corners — where the vines are producing wines of extraordinary richness, power, and elegance.

The result? A Cabernet that rivals the finest in the valley, delivering dark fruit, refined tannins, and a depth that will make you reconsider your idea of what Napa Cabernet should cost.

This isn’t just a deal. It’s an insider’s secret.

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.

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
Inky with faint ruby edges—like a velvet drape pulled back to reveal curves in candlelight.

Aroma (Nose)
A bright, bold perfume of black raspberry and cassis, weaving through whispers of black cherry and plum. Underneath, subtle notes of roasted espresso, dark chocolate shavings, and a pinch of cracked black pepper mingle with cedar and sweet vanilla from fine new French oak. Elegant, seductive, unapologetic.

Palate
Velvet in motion. Rich layers of tart cherry, blueberry, and raspberry compote are framed by a spicy undertone of clove and anise. Mid-palate evolves into graphite and earth receding into a silken swirl of tobacco leaf and dusty cocoa. The structure is firm—supportive but not restrictive.

Tannins & Acidity
Tannins are tight but refined—like a silk ribbon binding the fruit. Acidity is bright and sleek, refreshing without stealing the spotlight—keeping things electric and moving. This wine is young and will easily evolve for 10-15 years.

Finish
The final act lingers long: cassis trails into cedar smoke, licorice, and echoes of espresso. A dark, bitter chocolate note edges in, leaving a "I want more... but I’ll savor the memory". Let this wine aerate for 30 minutes before serving.

NYR

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