Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

What were you doing in 1970? It’s what I always think of when I have a very elderly wine. It also is the question I ask friends I share older wine.

Some 1970 highlights. The number one song was Simon & Garfunkel’s, “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” The President of the United States was Richard M Nixon and one of the kindest friends I have known was born. Last but not least, the Napa Valley was just beginning to rise. Louis Martini was one of those pioneers!

This bottle has survived & flourished over those 55 years and is a fine piece of history.

Many would say this is past its prime and they wouldn’t necessarily be wrong. But I am one who appreciates wine on its still solid downslope. While on its decent, this bottling still shows nice fruit, complexity and elegance that just can’t be mistaken for good young wine w/ a long decant.

The nose shows a fig & date quality. Older, brambly; blackberries, black raspberry reduction, sweet & sour cherries, that slide into liquor, baked rhubarb, slightly overripe strawberries. Soft sandalwood w/ dry cedar tones, undertones of rusted metal, dry soil & crushed limestone, vanillin, very dry twig, old, slightly used tobacco, reminisce of dark spices, tomato leaf, sun tea, dry & withering dark & red flowers, understated violets w/ a sprinkle of potpourri.

The palate is still fresh & ripe; older, brambly, blackberries, black raspberry reduction, sweet & sour cherries that slide into liquor, baked rhubarb, slightly overripe strawberries, figs & dates. Soft sandalwood w/ dry cedar tones, undertones of rusted metal, dusty top soil & limestone gravel, dry river stone, crumbled, grey volcanics, cherry cola, vanillin, nutmeg, cinnamon stick, clove, very dry twig, old, slightly used tobacco, dark spices still w/ soft but impactful palate backbone, tomato leaf, sweetened sun tea w/ a spritz of lemon, dry & withering dark & red flowers, understated violets w/ a sprinkle of potpourri, excellent rainfall acidity with an elegant, round, balanced, well knitted, still tensioned, polished finish that falls on sandalwood, earth and spice that lasts 90 seconds.

12% ABV which I have said many times is my strong preference like w/ all amazing Clarets. I wish it had never changed. 92 on the wine, but a perfect 10 on the history scale. — 4 days ago

Michael

9.2

2013 LOUIS M MARTINI
Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon
Rich deep red color, nice fruity flavors, tast proty dry wine. — 2 years ago

Monique Blanchard

9.4

Great nose. Smooth throughout — 12 days ago

Nagib Nasr

9.3

Just what the doctor ordered — a month ago

Conrad Green

9.3

Quite Porty and high toned. Deep cherry on the nose. Plum and floral notes. Broad and soft. Very good. — 6 months ago

with Jonathan, Paul and 1 other

Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

Deep Ruby with purple hues, aromas of berry fruits, slight floral and smoky spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry, cedar, vanilla and herb floral notes. Fine tannins, long finish, ending with fruit, cacao, smoky oak and herb character. Nice!! Aging and drinking well! — 7 months ago

Ravinder Singh

8.9

Dinner at home 3/13/2025 — 12 days ago

Danny O'Brien

9.0

Solid Napa Cab, pretty floral and chocolate notes mixed with sweet tobacco leaf, oak and dark fruit. Drank a bit young, tannins got pretty grippy and gave me a slight headache, but overall a nice wine — 2 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Estate dates back to Crusades & Scottish navigator, George Smith, owner in the 18th century. Followed by M. Duffour-Dubergier, Mayor of Bordeaux, then Louis Eschenauer, a famous wine shipper. In 1990, Daniel & Florence Cathiard now own estate. Blend of 60% Cab Sauv & 40% Merlot, dark berry aromas, herbs and earthy spice. On the complex palate flavors of cherry and currant with pepper, tobacco and cacao notes. Soft ripe tannins, long finish ending with an earthy mineral character. — 6 months ago

Juan Pablo Perez

9.2

Nariz: mora, arándano, aceituna, algo de especies, algo de violetas. Aromas primarios pero algo de evolution.

Boca: Tanino M, Acidez M, Alcohol M. Muy buen balance. — 9 months ago