What Was The Single Greatest 1970s CA Wine?

[Scott_Watkins]

Easy one for me Phelps Eisele Vineyard 1974, drop the mike!

I stand corrected, it was indeed the 75.

I was lucky enough to have the 75 in perfect condition a few weeks ago and I will agree it was fantastic! But the 73 Montelena was also beautiful

[Mike_Maguire]

Easy one for me Phelps Eisele Vineyard 1974, drop the mike!

I stand corrected, it was indeed the 75.

I was lucky enough to have the 75 in perfect condition a few weeks ago and I will agree it was fantastic! But the 73 Montelena was also beautiful

Nice Scott! I’m betting it is still singing

[Eric_Lundblad]

75 Caymus Cab Sauv Special Selection…a wine that still has decades to go.

[Kris_Patten]

Conn Creek 1974 Eisele? To Mike above, I believe Phelps first Eisele was 1975 as Conn Creek owned vineyard prior.

Someone please clarify who knows well more than I.

Everyone bites for Cabs but what about Ridge York Creek PS 1974?

[D_HEIN]

****#1?

1974-The 1974 Heitz “Martha’s Vineyard” remains at the top of its game. It offers its tell tale eucalyptus/mint perfume and much more in its spectacular nose, thick, layered flavors, totally integrated tannins, and incredible length. It still bothers me that I thought the wine was too expensive when it came on the market in 1979 at $25. It should drink well for another 20+ years. Last tasted, 4/07. Rating, 99. RP

I had this wine twice over a period of thirty days, rating it an astounding 99 and 98 points. A monumental California Cabernet Sauvignon, it appears to have approached its plateau of maturity but should easily last for 20 to 25 more years. There is no rust, amber, or brown to the saturated dark purple color. The spectacular, huge, Mouton-Rothschild like nose of mint, cassis, lead pencil, and toast is remarkably youthful. Staggeringly concentrated, this full bodied, super rich wine possesses moderate tannin, fresh, lively acidity, and a blockbuster, rich, fleshy finish. This is a monumental effort! Last tasted, 6/94. Rating, 98/99. RP

Have not drunk this wine, BUT, one of these four will be consumed soon, hopefully! (psycho issue!)

[rsmithjr]

Hello all, I’m new to the forum as of today and in full transparency signed up because while passing through Eugene Oregon I stopped at a local high end grocery store and found a bottle of 1978 Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill.

As this being my first time as a poster I do not want to break any of the rules of the site, I apologise now but frankly my only question is…is it worth spending $260 on this bottle that from the outside is in pristine condition l?

Thanks for indulging a wino moron

A simply stunning bottle, drank my last on my 60th…

[Kelly_Flynn]

Love older Mayacamas, Phelps, Ridge, DC and others mentioned previously, but the 78 Shafer (poured by John Shafer, with mutton at Keens) stands out. This was around 2000. Then, about ten years later, I found the same wine at Flickingers for about $40. I brought it as a blind ringer to a First Growth dinner, and it was still a stunner.

[DAVID_GIBBS]

Opened a '71 Ridge Eisele last night, and it was as lovely as expected. That said- I actually prefer the Norm Mini bottles from the same year, as well as the '74 Conn Creek.

[Mark_Golodetz]

Opened a '71 Ridge Eisele last night, and it was as lovely as expected. That said- I actually prefer the Norm Mini bottles from the same year, as well as the '74 Conn Creek.

Yes we tasted Eisele twice with the ‘71 standard and in both cases the majority preferred the standard.

Eisele was obviously from a warmer area, and showed richness but also plumminess and softness. The other was brighter and much more precise and to me a more complete wine

[Mark_Golodetz]

BTW I completely forgot the 1970 Gemello which bested 1970 and 1974 Martha’s, ‘70 Petrus, LMHB 1975 etc in the 25th anniversary of the Spurrier Judgement of Paris tasting.

[G_Bienstock]

BTW I completely forgot the 1970 Gemello which bested 1970 and 1974 Martha’s, ‘70 Petrus, LMHB 1975 etc in the 25th anniversary of the Spurrier Judgement of Paris tasting.

Mark, I remember you praising that Gemello. A virtual unknown.

[Craig_G]

Hello all, I’m new to the forum as of today and in full transparency signed up because while passing through Eugene Oregon I stopped at a local high end grocery store and found a bottle of 1978 Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill.

As this being my first time as a poster I do not want to break any of the rules of the site, I apologise now but frankly my only question is…is it worth spending $260 on this bottle that from the outside is in pristine condition l?

Thanks for indulging a wino moron

A simply stunning bottle, drank my last on my 60th…

I was lucky to taste a couple of 78 Diamond Creeks a few months ago and they were excellent.

[Scott_Watkins]

I was lucky enough to have these two bottles a couple of months ago which were dug out of a passive cellar and were spectacular. But I will tell you the 82 Stony hill Gewurztraminer I thought about for days afterward, a stunning wine.

[Mark_Golodetz]

BTW I completely forgot the 1970 Gemello which bested 1970 and 1974 Martha’s, ‘70 Petrus, LMHB 1975 etc in the 25th anniversary of the Spurrier Judgement of Paris tasting.

Mark, I remember you praising that Gemello. A virtual unknown.

Gilman is still convinced the sommelier screwed up, and mixed it up with the 1975 LMHB

[DAVID_GIBBS]

I was lucky enough to have these two bottles a couple of months ago which were dug out of a passive cellar and were spectacular. But I will tell you the 82 Stony hill Gewurztraminer I thought about for days afterward, a stunning wine.

The old SH Gewurtztraminers are amazing wines. All of them.
Except maybe '89.
If you’re around on Feb 18th, we’ll be pouring some cool, older bottles, including the '67, which might be my favorite.

[Scott_Watkins]

I was lucky enough to have these two bottles a couple of months ago which were dug out of a passive cellar and were spectacular. But I will tell you the 82 Stony hill Gewurztraminer I thought about for days afterward, a stunning wine.

The old SH Gewurtztraminers are amazing wines. All of them.
Except maybe '89.
If you’re around on Feb 18th, we’ll be pouring some cool, older bottles, including the '67, which might be my favorite.

Oh I will put it on my calendar!

[Sean_Devaney]

Of the 70’s wines I had had the 78 Monte Bello is my favorite. I would love to try the 71 Ridge York Creek PS and the 70 Ridge Jimsomare Zin. A 1977 Freemark Abby Bosche Cab was also excellent.

[JohnP]

We’re popping a 1977 Spring Mountain tonight, so will report tomorrow.

[kmcleroy]

1976 BV Private Reserve. I still carry this wine around in my memory.

[Matt_L]

All of the above and…
74 Villa Mt Eden
74 Milt Eisele
70 Gemello