1969 Louis M. Martini Cabernet

1/8/09-The Thursday “Lunch Bunch” enjoyed a surprise treat with a 1969 Louis M. Martini Cabernet (12.5% alcohol) donated by Les Lederer, retired Senior Vice-President at Morgan Stanley. The wine had a much deteriorated cork and literally no sediment; however, to our surprise, it was extremely healthy and enjoyable, presenting flavors of coffee, licorice and plum, with very little tannin. Should a wine last this long with such a low alcohol level and no sediment? Apparently it should.

1980 Martin Ray Cabernet

1/7/09-The Wednesday Knitters were pleasantly surprised to find the brown bag 1980 Martin Ray Cabernet in good health. The wine had intense fruit showing few signs of old age. Flavors of cherry and boysenberry were noted and the bottle was soon empty. The Martin Ray Winery went out of business shortly after this vintage, and was resurrected in 1990 by Courtney Benham who purchased the rights to the Martin Ray label from the Ray family and acquired the Martini and Prati winery in July 2003 to make the current Martin Ray wines.