Louis M. Martini

Special Selection California Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 1970

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. — 11 days ago

Aravind, Jay and 16 others liked this

Tom Casagrande

I was in 5th grade, enjoying everything about life, and my youngest brother was born. I know there was some sh*t going on in the world at the time, but as far I knew then, life was 💯. In the 80s I drank some amazing ‘70 Left Bank wines. Not as many Napa Cabs.

Somm David T

@Tom Casagrande pretty much the same for me with the exception of another sibling born. I was the last. Cheers! 🍷

Paul T HB

I was drinking from a different bottle since I was born in 69

Louis M. Martini

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

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

Louis M. Martini

California Cabernet Sauvignon 1975

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Napa Pioneer Tasting! #respect
Happy Birthday to me.
All of these wines still improved with some air. — 3 days ago

Ming, Daniel and 10 others liked this

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Their new labels are horrible. Should go back to these.

Somm David T

@Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego True. Cheers! 🍷

Jolie-Laide Wines

Rossi Ranch Vineyard Grenache Blend 2014

Brandon Boesch

9.5

Needed a few hours of air. Very tart fruit, pepper, earth, sage, outstanding. Feels young despite 11 years. Still one of the best ca wineries. — 24 days ago

Scott@Mister and Tom liked this