#91 Top 100 USA by James Suckling 2025 edition
95-Points by James Suckling.
 
The winery's new flagship red, Gryphon, is a full-bodied, layered and sophisticated wine that's elegant yet well structured in tannins. It offers flower, iron and sage aromas, then focused black cherries, blueberries, spearmint and handsome oak spices on the palate. The cabernet sauvignon grapes are blended with 4% cabernet franc, 3% merlot and 2% malbec. Drink now or hold. 
 
Winemaker Notes!
The Gryphon was sourced from some of the most coveted vineyards in the Napa Valley, with a focus on the southern region to emphasize freshness and vibrancy. The fruit was hand-harvested and made in small fermenters at our winery. The wine underwent 19-month élevage in barrel (55% new French oak). 
The Cabernet Sauvignon forms the backbone, delivering layers of blackcurrant, dark cherry, and plum, while the Cabernet Franc adds a touch of floral nuance and red fruit vibrancy. The Merlot contributes plushness and roundness to the mid-palate, and the Malbec lends a hint of spice and depth. Together, they create a wine that is both opulent and refined, with a velvety texture and a finish that lingers with notes of mocha, graphite, and a whisper of vanilla.
Blend:  91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 3% Merlot and 2% Malbec.
 
The GRYPHON SYMBOLISM
The gryphon is the traditional symbol of the town of Genoa, Italy, the birthplace of Louis Martini. This is where he set sail from the port in 1899 at the young age of 12 to join his father in America. Today, The Gryphon represents the journey Louis M. Martini embarked on to the Napa Valley, where his family would become established Cabernet Sauvignon icons.
The three sections of the gryphon’s tail represent the three generations of Martinis who have built the legacy of the brand over the past 90+ years: Louis M., Louis P., and Mike.
 
Louis M. Martini Winery is a Napa Valley producer founded in 1933 in what is now the St Helena AVA. It mostly produces red wine, being best known for Cabernet Sauvignon which accounts for the majority of output.
The current range is headed by the Lot 1 Cabernet Sauvignon, made from the best blocks of leading Napa Valley vineyards. It is matured for 19 months in French oak barrels, with 80 percent new wood.
The recently introduced Crown Cabernet Collection is a group of mountain vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons. They are single-site designated apart from the Howell Mountain bottling. Barrel aging regimes vary in terms of time and whether a component is aged in American oak as well as French.
The Monte Rosso Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is part of the above group. Other wines from the same site have their own Monte Rosso collection. Single variety wines are made from Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel and Malbec. The Monte Rosso Vineyard Mountain Red is based on Syrah backed up with other southern French varieties such as Petite Sirah (Durif) and Grenache. 
The Cellar 254 range of small lot releases include a Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé, varietal Petit Sirah and a Meritage (Bordeaux-style Blend) with around 60 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 20 percent Malbec. The core "Signature Cabernets" are Sonoma County, Alexander Valley and Napa Valley bottlings. The sole white wine is a Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc.
History
Louis Martini had been making and selling wine during Prohibition for sacramental and medicinal purposes through his LM Martini Grape Products Company. When the Volstead act was repealed in 1933, the Louis M. Martini Winery was founded and became one of the first five wineries established in Napa post-Prohibition. In 1938, Martini expanded into Sonoma County with the Monte Rosso Vineyard, named for the red volcanic soils of the region.
Louis M. Martini's lengthy history in Napa Valley has given it a significant influence in the region's wine industry. In 1943, Martini helped found the Napa Valley Vintners Association. His son, Louis P. Martini, was an innovator, helping to establish techniques such as the use of wind turbines for frost prevention, temperature-controlled fermentation and individual lot selection.
As part of his legacy the Louis P. Martini Endowment for Viticulture and Enology Research was created at the University of California, Davis. In 2002 E. & J. Gallo bought the winery.