Somm David T

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. — 2 months ago

Michael Mugmon

9.8

Gin from Sun Valley, Idaho. — 6 years ago

with Amy

Matthew Cohen

9.4

Nose: dark cherries. Blackberry liquor. Savory.

Palate : dark but fresh cherries. Elegant spice.

Long finish.

Wow!

Do NOT DECANT this wine. Do not. It’s the best within like 10 minute sun the glass. Pour small amounts and drink and refill. It’s a big wine (2019) and best on pop and pour.

Fass selections — 6 months ago

Warren Rios

10

Best liquor on the market. — 4 years ago

Matt

9.6

Hot iron, iodine, olive tapenade, beef, creosote, curing salt, pink peppercorn, talcum, garrigue, scorched earth, granite, black raspberry liquor, grapefruit, crushed cherry, creme de cassis, rose petals. Ripe, full of flesh with sinew to back it up, found the balance quite remarkable here. The sun and warmth is felt in the generosity, but the tannins and acidity are well within reason. Granite and iron still at its core. — 4 years ago

Adam Quarello

9.5

Interesting brown liquor — 6 years ago

AEL

9.0

Purchased in Fort William, Scotland, near the distillery. Really excellent - smooth gin with distinct piney and earthy notes. — 2 years ago

Philip Patston

9.3

Really like this. A modern tasting London Dry gin. Traditional but fresh tasting. A must for my liquor cabinet and decent price too. — 2 years ago

Matt Sterr

9.1

TEX-SUN GRAPEFRUIT. DECENT. — 4 years ago

Ryan Vento

9.0

Deep notes of rich, golden honeycomb, espresso, and cocoa. This was one of the very first bourbons I ever purchased, and here we are several years (and multiple bottles) later and I’m still keeping their stuff in my liquor inventory because it’s just that delicious, especially for the price point. — 5 years ago