1973 Californian Cabernets
BY NEAL MARTIN |
A recent discussion about 1970s California wine on the Vinous forum prompted me to cleave away a couple of tasting notes from my round-up of mature wines. Of course, in the early 1970s, Bordeaux was in the doldrums, afflicted by excessive yields, outdated practices, lack of investment and poor growing seasons. Meanwhile, California had the bit between its teeth and laid the foundations for what led to Steven Spurrier’s epochal “Judgement of Paris” in 1976. At their best, this quartet of 1973s from California proves not only the quality at that time but also their potential longevity, which is on par with the greatest Bordeaux. I enjoyed these at Moon Bay restaurant in Hong Kong last September with a group of wine lovers.
