2023 Martellotto La Bomba Cabernet Sauvignon Happy Canyon 12x750 ml

About the Wine

In the rolling hills of Santa Barbara, there's a story that wine critics whisper about in hushed, reverent tones. It's the story of Greg Martellotto, a man whose Italian bloodline carries centuries of winemaking wisdom, and whose obsessive pursuit of perfection has created something extraordinary.

Since 2005, Greg has been crafting wines in his family's tradition, using techniques passed down through generations of Italian vintners. But this isn't your typical family story. Greg took those ancestral secrets and spent decades refining them, perfecting them, pushing them beyond what even his forefathers imagined possible. His mastery recently earned him recognition as a certified Italian Wine Ambassador—one of only 450 people worldwide to receive this prestigious honor.

The result? Wines so exceptional that they've been flying completely under the radar, known only to a select few who stumble upon Martellotto's tiny production runs of fewer than 8,000 cases per year.

For years, Greg's wines quietly earned 90+ ratings and collected double gold medals in blind competitions. But it was at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition—one of America's most prestigious blind tastings—where La Bomba truly proved itself. Placed alongside the heavy hitters from premium Napa Valley legends, celebrated Sonoma estates, and renowned Paso Robles powerhouses, Greg's Cabernet faced the ultimate test.

What happened next sent shockwaves through the wine world.

Every single judge—without knowing the price, the producer, or the region—chose La Bomba as the best Cabernet under $50. Not just a majority. Not just a close call. Unanimous.

Greg didn't choose the name "La Bomba" lightly. This is, in fact, a bomb of a wine.

The magic begins in the vineyards of Star Lane in Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara—the furthest eastern reach of the Santa Ynez Valley, where blazing days meet cooling Pacific breezes. This perfect storm of heat and ocean air is where Bordeaux varietals thrive and La Bomba finds its extraordinary soul.

For wine lovers who've watched Napa prices climb into the stratosphere while quality sometimes falls behind, La Bomba represents something powerful: proof that exceptional wine doesn't have to break the bank. It's evidence that somewhere, someone is still making wine the right way, for the right reasons.

This is Greg's invitation to you—la buona tavola—to join him at the good table, to experience what happens when passion meets precision, when Italian heritage meets California terroir.

Every bottle is a piece of the Martellotto story, lovingly crafted to deliver not just wine, but pure, giddy pleasure in a glass.

Alla Salute!

Tasting Notes

100% Cabernet Sauvignon. 

Wow! Explosive from the first pour—this is a Cabernet that lives up to its name. “La Bomba” erupts with aromas of blackcurrant liqueur, graphite, warm sagebrush, and a whiff of espresso crema. On the palate, it’s a powerhouse: full-bodied with broad shoulders, yet polished with fine-grained tannins. Layers of ripe blackberry, black plum, cocoa nibs, and cigar box unfold alongside toasty oak, vanilla bean, and a subtle hint of cinnamon.

This wine showcases the sun-drenched character of Happy Canyon fruit with swagger and finesse. Still young, but already a head-turner—it will evolve beautifully over the next 10+ years.

Pair with: Bone-in ribeye, truffled mushroom risotto, or a night that calls for fireworks.

Reviews

Produced and crafted by owner-winemaker Greg Martellotto of Martellotto Winery from sustainably farmed, east-facing vineyards in Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara, this bottling is marked by bright cherry and cranberry notes enlivened by blood-orange and tangerine zest. All that ruby-red fruit is accompanied by violet aromatics and blue-fruit compote on the palate. Sage and spearmint add layers of intrigue, building through supple tannins that glide to a juicy finish. ~95 Decanter