1970 Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection

Community Tasting Notes (6) Median Score: 90 points

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  2/2/2016 - WoodieBayArea wrote: 90 Points

  this was an enjoyable old bottle, it was dense on the palate - surprisingly so, and therefore had a bit of a port profile... would have been great for a five course dinner with 8 people where each had a modest glass with one course, instead i was trying to drink two glasses with a cigar and it became a bit much during the second glass, dense with plenty of compote grapey fruit, decent acid, less secondary character (or hidden buy the porty fruit), just too heavy to drink more than a glass

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  5/26/2015 - WoodieBayArea wrote: 90 Points

  good but not great, just very very mellow wine with virtually no tannin, a hint of fruit left, some earthy / leathery character, some said bordeaux, but i thought this was simply too old to make a mark, easy to drink -- almost too much so

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  1/24/2013 - Matthew B Likes this wine: 94 Points

  Once I determined the right way to remove the plastic casing , I saw a cork that immediately had me thinking about my backup wine. That said, the Ah-So removed a 99% saturated cork perfectly and in one piece. Poured into decanter and begin to get the aromas of old leather...color was aged, but still ruby colored. First taste...old, but not soured/bad. Heavy aged-leather aromas on the nose. Initial good flavor, but the acid and tannins seemed to outpace the fruit. Within thirty minutes the wine was singing...beautiful notes of eucalyptus, slight dark fruits, leather. Wow...stunning wine for $25 at auction. At an hour the wine had become alive and was paired perfectly with the filet, NY strip and roasted veggies my wife and I had grilled. At three hours it was done...but we had one amazing classic Cali wine. Nixon was President when this was bottled...feel blessed to have enjoyed this wine. WOTY in 2013 and one of my Top 10 overall.

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  2/21/2012 - liteagilis wrote: 97 Points

  I was just having this conversation w someone and felt the need to post a note. This is the single finest bottle of California Cab I have ever had. I have had two examples, both spectacular, one w a bad, mid-shoulder fill, one with a perfect bottom neck fill. I had one at Christmas a little over two years ago, I had the other about a year ago after some kind benefactor gifted me a mixed case of OLD Martini bottles (64 was also BRILLIANT--74 dead, 73 near dead). I was first intrigued by this bottle after Byron Kosuge said it was his 'epiphany wine' in an interview and seeing how I use his Hirsch Pinot as a reference point for which all other Cali Pinots are judged, I started looking. The first bottle was only $35 on account of the terrible fill level, the other was about $70. Both were BEYOND worth it. Having recently had '70 Mission, Cheval Blanc and Margaux, i would say that the Martini could EASILY compete in that company. Tobacco, eucalyptus, dark fruit, medium-body, definitely a point but not falling apart, I'll probably look for this bottle for the next ten years.....

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  11/12/2011 - strad wrote: 89 Points

  Well preserved specimen. Cork 90% saturated-came out clean. Nice tawny ruby red with lovely aromas of sandalwood, cedar, fig and eucalyptus.
  Tannins and acidity still going strong with slightly sweet tart cherry, saddle leather & a hint of smokey Oak. Quite a pleasant surprise especially considering the second 1/2, the next day, was even better than the 1/2 from day 1. If you have one, I recommend a good 2-3 hour decant.

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