Taxes done and opened a little 11 to celebrate not making any money in 2022. This is a simple wine, not showing any of the grandiosity other 11’s exude. This is pretty much what #winebro considers the entire 2011 vintage to be about–granted, it IS Sonoma, and not Napa–but there’s nothing particularly compelling here. Lightly fruited, there’s nothing extravagant about it, though a solid wine. Not tired, ridiculous tertiary non-existant, impenetrable dark maroon in the glass with brownish edges. A bit musty, bits of leather and smoky fruit concentration about all there is. Maybe–on second thought–it’s ALL tertiary, as nothing bright resolves itself above the polished splendor.

Tasting it resolves a lot of questions: sharply tannic and acidic and… actually: quite dull. Fruit–other than deeply concentrated grainy berry–seems to be vacant and it’s actually a rather boring wine. Glimpses of significant briar plump up here and there, but glimmers of magnificence fail to materialize. Sharp and grating on the palate, a bit of berry extravagance would be nice but never materializes. A beautiful Alex with ponderous structure which will never be glorious.

2011 LOUIS MARTINI Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley Sonoma 14.5

www.louismartini.com/