Louis M. Martini
Special Selection California Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California, USA
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.
From magnum, which undoubtably helped with the preservation, still some fruit and tannin structure, old no doubt, but still alive and providing pleasure, old wines are like old people, they may smell a bit and not say a whole lot, but you have to listen tongues and give them respect for still being around.
From magnum, which undoubtably helped with the preservation, still some fruit and tannin structure, old no doubt, but still alive and providing pleasure, old wines are like old people, they may smell a bit and not say a whole lot, but you have to listen tongues and give them respect for still being around.
Nov 11th, 2015Drinking beautifully. Floral and super fresh considering its 45 years old
Drinking beautifully. Floral and super fresh considering its 45 years old
Nov 11th, 2015
Tasted from a low fill bottle and it was more than acceptable. No overt Cabernet flavors but this be because of the redwood fermentation tanks of the era. Anyway fun to drink.
Tasted from a low fill bottle and it was more than acceptable. No overt Cabernet flavors but this be because of the redwood fermentation tanks of the era. Anyway fun to drink.
Apr 23rd, 2021
1970でもブランデー感は弱く酸味、果実味が感じられ、まるで熟成したピノのよう。どうせブランデー化したよくあるカベルネだろうと軽視してたのでビックリ！
1970でもブランデー感は弱く酸味、果実味が感じられ、まるで熟成したピノのよう。どうせブランデー化したよくあるカベルネだろうと軽視してたのでビックリ！
Jun 17th, 2017
1970... A little Brett but it blew off. A bit of cedar and celery. Alive but barely.
1970... A little Brett but it blew off. A bit of cedar and celery. Alive but barely.
Oct 25th, 2015
More new world than the other vintages. Very ripe fruits.
More new world than the other vintages. Very ripe fruits.
Aug 16th, 2015
I always say wine tastes best in the vineyard where it grows, especially when it's a legendary bottle like the 1970 Louis Martini Special Selection Cabernet from the historic Monte Rosso Vineyard. Brick red with earthy aromas, loaded with mint and pepper, great acidity, lively and delicious. Absolutely pristine. Not bad for a Tuesday!
I always say wine tastes best in the vineyard where it grows, especially when it's a legendary bottle like the 1970 Louis Martini Special Selection Cabernet from the historic Monte Rosso Vineyard. Brick red with earthy aromas, loaded with mint and pepper, great acidity, lively and delicious. Absolutely pristine. Not bad for a Tuesday!
Aug 4th, 2015
Giampaolo had this 9 years ago
Giampaolo had this 9 years ago
Jun 19th, 2016Kerrin had this 10 years ago
Kerrin had this 10 years ago
Sep 19th, 2015