Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon Wines From The 60’s

Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon Wines From The 60’s – Episode #432

March 28, 2008

Louis Martini is a legend in California wine history and today Gary Vaynerchuk gets to visit some 40 year old Cabs. This is a special episode and Gary even brought his thunder down a tad out of respect.

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“OK, I’ve seen lots of wonderful, free videos, but you guilted me into …” by David from Michigan
“QOTD: Born in the 80s, not massively clued up on the 60s but it’s gott…” by richardvinifera
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Wines tasted in this episode:

1964 Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon
1965 Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon
1967 Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon
1968 Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon
1969 Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon

Links mentioned in todays episode.

318 Responses

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March 29, 2008

portman
QOTD 1: my memories of being a kid, running around and playing outside with the neighborhood kids from the time I finsished my corn flakes until I was called home to supper. Too bad kids don’t/won’t do that any more.

QOTD 2: I won’t be making it. Best wishes to all that do. I’ll be here in Maine helping at my wife’s restaurant.

Portman, a.k.a Captain Vayniac
March 29, 2008

Matt
QOTD – my favorite thing from the 60s is my beautiful bride, the 69 vintage.

I liked your comments about the 64, “not youthful but holding up strong”. That was my birth year and I can relate. I too am minty fresh!
March 29, 2008

Rob Perelli-Minetti
I also liked your point about the fact that these were 12.5% alcohol wines (remember there was some slack in labelling, so I think many were closer to 13% if you did the full analysis).

I am NOT a fan of the current fruit forward, high alcohol, high pH style. The wines of the ’60s and early ’70s were made to be balanced wines. They were not made hard in their youth (as in Bordeaux) for two reasons: 1) the fruit was generally riper, being harvest 1-3 degrees brix higher than typical in Bordeaux, and 2) for commercial reasons, wine was sold younger than in Bordeaux and had to be drinkable when sold, regardless of its aging potential.

This lead to wines that had an interesting life cycle: wonderful fruit when released, similar to the modern fruit forward wines BUT just a little less intense and more in balance with the tannins and acid. But, fruit aromas and flavors predominated went the wines were released. At the age of somewhere between 5-7, the better California Cabernet Sauvignons went to “sleep” or became “mute” or “dumb” — I’ve heard all three terms used in the industry over the years. During the dumb period, the wines seemed a little dull, the initial fruit had faded and the wines hadn’t yet knit as mature wines. Somewhere between 8-10, these wines would emerged from the dumb period as their mature character developed – a little more Bordeaux like than the young wines, but with the California sunniness still there. That’s when people who know what they were doing (both long before Prohibition and later) drank the better California Cabernets, beginning at 10-15 depending on the vintages.

The way it worked was when wines were released, one would taste and decide if the vintage was worth buying in any quantity or not. If it was, you’d buy a fair amount of the regular bottlings for more or less current drinking before they went to sleep and, when released, as much as you could afford of the reserve quality bottlings of the wines you liked.

There was enough supply available in those days that it was easy to drink regular bottlings of the better years most of the time, with reserve bottlings at 10-15+ for special occasions. Other than the occasional bottle in a restaurant or if one was off somewhere where there wasn’t much wine around would there be any need to drink off years like 1963, 1967, 1969, 1972 (a real disaster) or 1977 (which was mostly bad with a few very good wines) – and even then you could often get OK years like 1971 or 1976 and avoid the poorer wines.
March 29, 2008

Shawn Dougherty
QOTD = ELVIS !!!
March 29, 2008

Kathy Hughes
1966- was graduated from Boston College- (just hosted a dinner for 5 women classmates and their husbands…enduring friendships)

1968- married Bill – It will be 40 years on April 5th. I’d marry him again.

Naples, Kathy
March 29, 2008

Rob Perelli-Minetti
This was a very interesting tasting, and my first introduction to Wine Library TV.

I remember all of these wines in their youth. I always liked Martini Cabernet Sauvignon. I do note that these were all the regular bottlings, not the Special Selection wines that were (a) all from the Monte Rosso vineyard in the Mountains between Napa and Sonoma — hence the comment on the two counties, and (b) the best fruit and intended to age. The regular releases were intended to last about 10-15 years, and were in their primes from 15-20 in good years.

I would also note that Martini Cabernet Sauvignon often seemed to be relatively lighter than other Napa CS when released, leading many people to wonder if it would age very well. Within the industry, however, it was well known that the wines actually seemed to gain weight during their ‘dumb’ period from 5-9 or so years after the vintage, as mature, medium bodied Cabernets of great elegance and finesse.

About the specific wines, it is a pity the ‘68 was cooked, it was, with the ‘64, the best vintage of the ’60s.

The ‘64 was really very charming in its youth and into the mid-1970s. I have not had it since about 1976. 1964 was really a fine vintage. I confess, however, to have preferred both the ‘64 BV (the ‘64 Georges des Latur was an “aha!” wine for several people I introduced to it in the ’70s) and the ‘64 Inglenook Cask (the last Georges Deuer wine as that’s about when John Daniels sold Inglenook) at the time. I only had the ‘64 Special Selection once, about 1978, and it was a significantly better wine. The hints of eucalyptus were present in both wines, but did not predominate the way you described.

The ‘65 was a serviceable wine in its youth in the early 1970s, but 1965 was not a particularly good vintage generally, and I did not drink very much of it, since it was much easier to drink ’64s and ’66s. (It’s a pity you did not have a ‘66, that was sunny year and the 1966 Martini regular bottling was absolutely lovely in its youth — I remember first tasting it at a friend’s just after it was released around 1970 and being very impressed. It held up very nicely through 1970s, but I have not had it since. I would not have expected it to be good at this point. ‘66 Special Selections were hard to come by and were drinking well in the ’80s. I once had a ‘67 Special Selection, around 1985, and was very disappointed in it. Very faded, very earthy, no finish to speak of.

The ‘67 was also a wine I did not drink much of. A mediocre year generally, similar to the 1965’s in being a little light. I do not have any distinct memories of the ‘67.

The ’68s were really good wines — the special selection was an “aha!” wine that filled the room in the early 1980s, and a tremendously charming fruity wine when released in the early 1970s. It had a bit more fruit than the 1964 (it was a warmer summer IIRC) and had a freshness to it that I liked very much. I drank quite a bit of the regular ‘68, probably 2-3 cases. It was a very good value.

The ‘69 is the wine I would have expected the least from (except perhaps the ‘67) because it was not a good year. I seem to remember the Martini was serviceable, but with an abundance of ’66s and ’68s to drink, there was no need to drink ’69s, especially when there was the promise of the 1970s, which everyone was talking about as the vintage of the century by the time the ’69s were released. I have not had the ‘69 Special Selection.

The 1970 regular bottling was magnificent at least until 2000. I have one bottle left, but I fear it may be cooked. I may well be drinking it in the next 6-8 months as I am considering a 1970 horizontal tasting with my last bottles of Martini, BV Reserve and Inglenook Cask. The 1970 Special Selection was, around 1995, every bit the equal of the 1970 BV Reserve. Different style, as always, but wonderful.
March 29, 2008

ninefingers
Thanks for the tasting of my wines. Steve Anderson 3/29/2008
The 1968 being cooked is dishearting, since I still have 20 bottles left of that vintage.
I have used up all my 1965’s which I liked the best.
And I could only find the 1964’s in half bottle’s after I tasted the 1965’s during a company trip to Lompoc, CA in the Late 1969 working for GE-Aerospace.
March 29, 2008

salvatore
My favorites of the 60’s.

1961-1964(1)Joining the U.S.Army, growing up, and learning about different people and customs in Europe.
2)Rock and Roll and Country music on the USO radio in Germany.

1966-1969(3)Getting married and becoming a father.
March 29, 2008

DerekH
QOTD1: Easy, George Best.
March 29, 2008

Scott S.
Gary, Thank you so much for this show. You were so respecetful of these classic wines from a generation gone by. I have been fortunate to taste some old wines over the years and there is something profound, wise and graceful about them. These wines and the show took me back to my childhood in the 60’s. A small town boy who has lots of fond memories of the kind hearted elder people of my little home town. I have watched every show from day 1 and 432 brought me to tears. Thank you very much!

QotD: read above!
March 29, 2008

Felix
An insane amount of good movies in the sixties:
“The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”, “Once Upon a Time in the West”, “Psycho” etc etc
March 29, 2008

joel delon
Great episode again with this vertical tasting of cabs this shows as you said (pay attention all the winemakers !) that a 40 years old cab can be vegetable interesting ! thought those wines had still character or not but aromatically absent thanks for yor indications
QOTD : about the sixties as i heard in france the warm relationships between french citizens
March 29, 2008

YoungDave
QOTD 1: I guess I have to say that it was when my parents met.

QOTD 2: I wish I could be there, but 3000 miles is a bit far for me this weekend. See you on the west coast soon.
March 29, 2008

Oregon Jim
Wow what a great opportunity, another flyer and your instint was perfect. An excellent adventure back to the sixties. Did the winemaker think his wines would last 44 years? Do any American wine makers think what they are bottling today will hold up for 44 years?

QOTD- The music for sure- Beatles, Stones, Hendrix, Doors, Led Zep, and on. But for me the cars! Hemi Cuda, Chevelle SS 396, Pontiac GTOs, Mustangs, Cameros, Firebirds! What a golden age in some areas.

And STG, though I lived in Portland, Oregon(e) I had a huge poster of #12 Joe Namath of the NY Jets on my bedroom wall the year they won it all and proved the AFL had arrived, and Namath by guaranteeing the improbable win and then backing it up was never going to be remembered for his record of 77-108 as a qb. I was almost 14 years old in Jan. 1969. Cars, music and sports went down hill from there for quite a while for me. Luckily I found a new interest. Girls!
March 29, 2008

Medo
“Wow” show Gary! Enjoyed it very much! Thanks for treating yourself like this

QOTD: The music! I love the music of the 60ths!
March 29, 2008

JamesMcK
Hey GV,

I have watched a couple dozen episodes and I really enjoy the show immensely. It inspired me to try my first “real” wines (including a bottle from WL).

Unfortunately, they didn’t do much for me. It just tastes like wine to me; it doesn’t light me on fire the way a good microbrew beer does. Yet, when I see your unbridled (though occasionally slightly bridled) passion for the vino, I can’t help but seek out more to try.
Keep up the good work.
March 29, 2008

wmole
Quote of the day.

“Don’t say that down in Mexico or they’ll think you’re some kind of dumbshit”

Now it’s time for:

“Mole’s Daily Wine Show”

Today we’re gonna taste 6 wines and see if we like em.

Here we go:

Wine #1… yup average
Wine #2… mmm average
Wine #3… ah average
Wine #4… duh average
Wine #5… ohso average

Screw number 6! Had it before.

Done.

That’s it. Tomorrow’s show’s been cancelled, no one gives a crap. Now, go get some wine and drink it, then go get some more and drink that too.
Remember:

“Excitement not necessary when sipping daily wine”

“Men without dreams not thinking hard enough”

“Good things happen on gloomy days”

“Everyday special occaision at WLTV”
March 29, 2008

LeifErik
Favorite thing from the 60s — 1969 DRC, Romanee-Conti. Drank last summer at IPNC in Oregon, first and last DRC as of yet. Quite a beautiful wine, showed a maturity that was perhaps just entering retirement, but not playing shuffleboard just yet. It was buying that new car to celebrate a life well lived and taking it’s mistress for a ride in upstate new york, only to have hot sex in a quaint B&B all week long drinking nothing but Austrian Riesling, Grower Champagne, and Colheita Porto.
March 29, 2008

Swedish T
I should have been there tomorrow but plans got changed and IÂ´ll be there in april instead…

Swedish T
March 29, 2008

fatdoi
qotd….. 60s….. Thunderbirds are GO!!!
March 29, 2008

luvgrapesqueezings
Worcester will be in the house. See you tomorrow at 11!
March 29, 2008

L. Whimsy
The slim, stylish cut of men’s suits (eg: Michael Caine in The Italian Job). Most American suits are cut like pajamas now.
March 29, 2008

foulmouthpoet
i wasn’t born yet, but my favorite thing from the 60’s is this picture of my mom and dad right around the time they got married. my pops, who came from pakistan, has these huge chops (monstrous sideburnes), and my mom has straight hippy chick hair down to her waist. the best part is– it’s almost 37 years later and they’re still together and in love… beautiful.
March 29, 2008

RickD
QOTD #1 – the moon landing in 69 – I was 9 and remember my folks calling me in from playing outside – it was black and white – with Walter C. (talk about old school) – but I got it – things were changing – we could put a man on the moon!

QOTD #2 – AHHHHHHH! Sorry GV – can’t make it – but it was great to meet you in Santa Rosa for the twitter party – if you’re out to Cali – give me a call.
March 29, 2008

Ernest_G
I’m sorry, but I have to throw this out: Dan B, I’m the ‘average guy’. Not only do I have limited access to wine, but I’m also new to it (not yet a year into drinking wine). But I’ve taken a lot of my free time to research the wines that GV has tasted. Of those wines, a small portion I’ve been able to find in various wine/spirits outlets in my home town. I wish I could reach over to you and hand you one of the 20+ bottles I’ve found near by me for under 15 dollars.

It takes some effort to find the bottles that GV has tasted, but they are out there for us to try and possibly enjoy.

IMHO, a good relationship doesn’t start with solely the first impression. A good relationship is built upon experience and dedication. If all goes well, the relationship will result into trust and loyalty.

QOTD: I was born in the ’70’s. . .so my favorite thing about the ’60s may have to be the courtship of my parents.

QOTD2: I can’t make it. . .that effort is outside of my budget.

GS, GV (Good Show, Gary V)