Winemaker extraordinaire, Marty Mathis, followed in the proverbial footsteps of his mother, Santa Cruz wine icon Kathryn Kennedy. Since her untimely passing nearly a decade ago, Marty has managed a nearly impossible task – the continuation of a small, family-run, high quality winery.
The Lateral is his creation based on the wines of Bordeaux’ Right Bank, where Merlot and Cabernet Franc routinely join forces. For his blend of Merlot (51%) and Cabernet Franc (49%) Marty works with organic growers in Napa Valley, leveraging his many contacts from a lifetime in the wine industry.
Medium-bodied with flavors of cranberries, cherry, chocolate and subtle loamy earth with the oak barrel still evident in this youthful version. The mouthfeel is silky with smooth tannins.
Pairings: Pizza, red sauce pastas, mushroom-based dishes and beef. Looking for a cheese pairing – definitely cheddar!
