Marietta Cellars

Game Trail Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Yorkville Highlands

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The Yorkville Highlands are the mountain pass between the north end of Alexander Valley and the west end of Anderson Valley. From a high elevation site with coastal influence and large diurnal shifts, the Game Trail Cabernet offers an intense, fragrant, savory, and fresh style of Cabernet that speaks of site and demands to be paired with food. This area, with trails worn by mushroom hunters and wild game that travel through the woods, was a refuge for Chris Bilbro, who hunted here and searched for Chanterelles. The mushroom on the label is a tribute to this unique place and its significance.

The estate series from Marietta is made with terroir in mind above all else. For many years these sites were included in blends, though they routinely stood out as extraordinary. These wines are true expressions of unique sites, crafted with freshness, tension and longevity in mind.

VINEYARD

This Cabernet comes from Marietta's small block in the Game Trail Vineyard, located in Mendocino County’s Yorkville Highlands AVA. Perched at 1,400 feet on a south-facing ridge between the north end of Alexander Valley and the west end of Anderson Valley, the vineyard sits in a rugged mountain pass with trails worn by mushroom hunters.

WINEMAKING

Fermented in stainless steel tanks and barrel aged in neutral French oak barrels for 20 months before bottling.

VINTAGE

The 2022 season, marked by a dry winter, frosty spring, and summer heat spikes, led to a lighter crop with concentrated flavors, ripe tannins, and fruit-forward wines.

TASTING NOTE

A svelte, stylish powerhouse. This wine feels like salty sea spray dripping off gnarled cedar boughs: wild and fresh with an innate sense of gravity and grace. A finely textured mouth with plenty of slate and chew brims with kalamata, sage, and peppe

FOOD PAIRING

Braised short ribs, roasted lamb

Color

Red

Blend %

100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Appellation

Yorkville Highlands

Farming

Sustainable

Alcohol

14.7%

Suggested Retail Price

$51.99

Reviews

91

Wine Advocate - October 10, 2024 "The 2022 Game Trail Cabernet Sauvignon is herbal on the nose: blackcurrantfruit is accented by tones of eucalyptus, green pepper, dried herbs andlavender. The full-bodied palate features concentrated layers of dark fruit.It’s structured by gently chewy tannins and bright acidity and has a longfinish streaked with floral perfume."

Trade Materials

Other Wines by this Producer

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Named after cellarmaster Román Cisneros who has worked at Marietta for over 32 years, this Estate Zinfandel is from the Angeli estate vineyard in Alexander Valley and the McDowell Valley estate vineyard. One of the grape varieties that Marietta is famous for, this wine captures the bright, juicy character of Zinfandel, and hearkens to an era before dark, thick and oaky styles of Zinfandel took hold.

Old Vine Riesling

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Marietta's Old Vine Riesling is the most recent and unique extension of the Old Vine series (or "OVR"). Originally intended as a gift for Scot's partner, Lisa, who is German, the bone dry style of Riesling became a fan favorite and permanent addition. While it is the only wine is the lineup that is not estate grown, it comes from some of California's oldest Riesling vines and offers an extraordinary value and delightful drinking experience.

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