Martis Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, Sonoma, California, USA 2022

Martis Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 from Alexander Valley, Sonoma, pours a deep garnet and immediately lifts with ripe cassis, black cherry, and blackberry preserves, layered over cedar shavings and a trace of cocoa. On the palate it’s generous yet composed: plush dark-fruit concentration glides on fine, well-knit tannins, while subtle notes of espresso, graphite, and vanilla bean reveal thoughtful oak integration without stealing the spotlight. A bright vein of acidity very much an Alexander Valley signature and keeps the richness lively, carrying flavors of blackberry liqueur, bay leaf, and a faint tobacco warmth through a long, savory finish. Give it a brief decant to let the aromatics unfurl, then pair with grilled ribeye, lamb chops, or roasted mushrooms and rosemary potatoes. It’s polished and ready to enjoy now, but there’s enough structure to reward a few years in the cellar, where the fruit, spice, and woodland notes should knit into an even silkier, more seamless whole.