Louis M. Martini
Special Selection California Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California, USA
Napa Pioneer Tasting. #respect
Happy Birthday to me.
Napa Pioneer Tasting. #respect
Happy Birthday to me.
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.
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.
Light color and body but still hobbling down the alley. After an hour little deterioration. Interesting
Light color and body but still hobbling down the alley. After an hour little deterioration. Interesting
Mar 27th, 2019Like a girlfriend with TB. Love it but not for long.
Like a girlfriend with TB. Love it but not for long.
2 people found it helpfulJul 24th, 2014Carole had this 11 years ago
Carole had this 11 years ago
1 person found it helpfulJul 26th, 2014
Wow! Would not have guessed Cabernet. Drink now!
Wow! Would not have guessed Cabernet. Drink now!
1 person found it helpfulJul 26th, 2014
Will had this 11 years ago
Will had this 11 years ago
1 person found it helpfulJul 25th, 2014Beautiful older wine; soft and sweet on entry with silky and delicate mouthfeel, surprisingly long finish. Notes of bourbon and sassafras. Loved it.
Beautiful older wine; soft and sweet on entry with silky and delicate mouthfeel, surprisingly long finish. Notes of bourbon and sassafras. Loved it.
Jun 13th, 2017
Strangest Cab I have ever seen. 1972 vintage and while it tasted and smelled like fairly maderized Cab, it had the color of Provençal rose. Certainly a curious one.
Strangest Cab I have ever seen. 1972 vintage and while it tasted and smelled like fairly maderized Cab, it had the color of Provençal rose. Certainly a curious one.
Dec 16th, 2016
Holy shit, just holy shit. JaRue hooked it up. Still a very lively wine, surprising amount of fruit, hints of veg, still had nice structure.
Holy shit, just holy shit. JaRue hooked it up. Still a very lively wine, surprising amount of fruit, hints of veg, still had nice structure.
Jun 16th, 2016