I recently purchased this interesting (?) bottle at an auction and I was wondering if anybody could shed some light on how significant (or not) it is.
It appears to be a Cabernet Sauvignon with fruit from UC Davis Oakville Station, made by Michael R. Martini at the Louis M. Martini winery. Aged 12 months in American, French, and Russian oak. (At least the élevage seems interesting)
I’m not sure who or what this was made for. Seems like a promotional bottling for the University of California System, but I’m not 100% sure.
I sold several vinatages of Martini made UCD bottlings in the “Davis Cellar” for the BerserkerDay sale about five years ago. Michael and his sister both attended UC Davis and gave back generously.
The grapes come from the Oakville station that is grown and maintain mostly by students and faculty of the viticulture program. That’s about 40 acres-- you can read more about the history of this vineyard here Oakville Station. The wines are typically bottled as student/instructor projects. I actually had two cabs from this vineyard in the past. One that was very good, one that has been totally DOA. It’s hard to tell without information on the bottling and work that took place in the specific year for the bottling. They change Oak, ratios etc quite often as expected from research and teaching vineyard.
Assuming it looks in light like it had some good storage history, and assuming not too much past seepage, I’d say pop and try. Otherwise- as I remember the one that was DOA- don’t try (Yiichs it was that bad)
I reached out to UCD and Louis M Martini winery to see if they have any information about it. Seems like it was made by Michael Martini, and was “Vinted and Bottled by Louis M Martini Winery” so I’m not sure where it was made or if there was any student involvement.
There’s a little bit of seepage, but the bottle is at about base neck fill. Here’s a photo of the front, the label isn’t in great shape.
