Named after the matriarch of the De Martino family, this is a tropical-influenced wine with full banana, papaya and melon flavors atop lighter-weight aromas. The finish is equally tropical in style, with creamy oak mixing with ripe banana to create a sundae-like whole. The palate is chewy and satisfying as the wine tips the scale toward full bodied. Best Buy.
— M.S.
(7/1/2003)
Creamy aromas of vanilla and pears also carry some typical Sauvignon Blanc pungency. For a rounder style, which it is, it’s quite refreshing. The mix across the palate of banana, grapefruit and almonds is attractive, and so is the round, pretty finish. Drink it very soon.
— M.S.
(7/1/2003)
Takes a while to unfold and show its best qualities, which are raspberry fruit, some brambly rusticity, and chocolaty oak. Muscular and big, it’s just right for a pot of stew, spicy chile con carne, or spaghetti and meatballs. Starts out a little awkward but finishes well. Best Buy.
— M.S.
(5/1/2000)
Enticing aromas of dry peat, milk chocolate and radicchio lead to cedar, cocoa and sweet, juicy red plum flavors. Ends a bit tight with awkward tannins, but it’s still worthy of exploration.
— K.F.
(12/1/2002)
A bit toasty and minty, but you also get some black truffle and blackberry on the nose. The palate offers solid cassis and black-fruit flavors, and overall it seems ripe to the core. Jumpy acidity gives the wine a forward personality.
— M.S.
(5/1/2007)
Nicely extracted aromas of blackberry and cherry are offset by an unfortunate lactic note. But that’s about the only downside to this otherwise nice and friendly wine. The palate is all cassis, and the finish is surprisingly substantial, offering chewy tannins and a burnt coffee flavor. This isn’t a great wine, but for a basic Cab it delivers a lot without any flaws.
— M.S.
(12/1/2002)
Aromas of pineapple, melon and green apple start it off, followed by a modest dosage of apple and pear flavors. The finish is smooth and buttery, especially toward the back end, but without much robust flavor.
— M.S.
(7/1/2003)
There’s a strong oak element to this Cab, one that should be a bit more integrated than it is given that it’s a ’98. Black cherry fruit dominates the palate, which throws off some bitter oak. The finish is equally toasty, with a hefty dose of bitter chocolate. The feel is hard and firm; maybe it still needs time.
— M.S.
(12/1/2002)