2017 Martin Ray Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain District Napa Valley 750 ml

Almost 2,000 feet up in the Mayacamas Range, Diamond Mountain District is the most rugged and sparsely planted appellation in all of Napa Valley. “Intense yet subtle,” the 95-point 2017 Martin Ray Diamond Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon stands among the crown jewels of this bold slice of Napa terroir. Dark and profound like midnight, the 2017 is rich with crushed black fruits, opening to tantalizing spice layered with tobacco, dark chocolate, and rocky mineral earth. 

As Wine Access members well know, Martin Ray wines consistently deliver impressive value. But this takes things to another level. Top-rated high-end bottlings from the rarefied air in this part of the Valley usually start at $100. Diamond Mountain releases from Hall, Davies, and Wallis Family all sport triple-digit price tags, and the biggest gun of them all, Lokoya, goes for $400 a pop. Today, a 95-point taste of that same terroir is just $50.

Look closely and you’ll find that one of three coveted sources for Lokoya’s Diamond Mountain Cabernet is Andrew Geoffrey Vineyard, a tiny 13-acre parcel perched 1,800 feet up in the mountains. Andrew Geoffrey’s exclusive client list includes Lokoya, Cardinale, Haber Family—and Martin Ray. 

Today’s $50 Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon is entirely sourced from this universally acclaimed site, offering the same superstar pedigree as bottles three, four, and five times the price. In the hands of 100-point winemaker Keith Emerson, the result could only be a classic. It’s everything we crave in an all-powerful mountain-grown Cabernet, without the high-altitude price tag. At 41% off, we can’t be any clearer: this is one of the year’s best high-end steals. 

A modern pioneer in making the best of Napa available at rare values, Martin Ray winery has been a trailblazer since 1943. Martin Ray himself was one of the original legends of California viticulture, alongside Don Chappellet and Robert Mondavi. He was motivated to craft wines that would rival Europe’s elites at a time when most would have found that notion laughable. He got the last laugh when his bottles ended up in the White House under multiple administrations.

Today, owner Courtney Benham has picked up where Martin Ray left off. Bringing on 100-point winemaker Keith Emerson was a huge move, especially when it comes to handling super-premium Cabernet Sauvignon. Emerson’s experience as winemaker at Vineyard 29 and Robert Craig make him an expert in this category, and it showed when he got a shot at the holy grail of Diamond Mountain vineyards. 

The 2017 Martin Ray Cabernet Sauvignon is a masterwork from top to bottom. It proudly displays the bold signature of Diamond Mountain District in its massive concentration, powerful structure, and mineral-laced blackberry, cassis, and black plum flavors. Emerson’s only trace is hardly a trace at all, but can be sensed in the seamlessness and impeccable balance of one of the great Cabernet bargains of 2020.