Robert Mondavi Winery Napa Valley California Wine Cabernet Sauvignon

Mondavi Winery 2

Everything about Robert Mondavi Vineyards, Napa Valley California Cabernet Sauvignon wine producer profile, wine tasting notes, wine and food pairing tips, best vintages, history of the property, information on their wine making techniques, terroir and soil. You can also read about the Grapes used for California wine and learn about the extensive History of Napa Valley, California Wines

Robert Mondavi Winery History, Overview

While the Robert Mondavi story starts with his birth in 1913 in Virginia Minnesota, the history of the Mondavi family in the California wine industry begins with their first purchase in Napa Valley in 1934, which was the Sunny St. Helena Winery, which has since changed names to Merryvale.

The land was purchased from John Poggi. John Poggi was the direct descendant of Joseph Ghisletta, who first cultivated the vineyards in 1874. The Sunny St. Helena winery changed names to Muther Winery, under the ownership of the Mondavi family.

This was followed in 1943 when the Charles Krug winery sold their estate to the patriarchs of the Mondavi family, Cesare Mondavi and Rosa Mondavi for $75,000.

In a few short years following the conclusion of World War 2, Peter Mondavi ushered the modern age into their Charles Krug winery when they became one of the first wineries in the Golden State to begin replanting their vineyards with Cabernet Sauvignon and started to produce wines made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.

That might not sound special to you today. But it’s important to note that at the time, very little Cabernet Sauvignon was planted in Napa Valley.

By the late 1940’s Charles Krug was producing Cabernet Sauvignon wines as well as a Bordeaux blend known as Claret.

The Mondavi family also pioneered the use of techniques like cold fermentation and producing a special Vintage Selection bottling at Charles Krug, known as Charles Krug red stripes, due to the bright red stripes on the label Charles Krug also deserves credit for becoming one of the first California wineries to begin aging their wine in new, French oak barrels starting in 1963.

The history of Charles Krug and the entire California wine industry changed after Peter Mondavi and Robert Mondavi had a massive fight. That fight caused Robert Mondavi to quit the family business and build his own family empire as a wine maker.

In 1965. Robert Mondavi founded his winery in Oakville with 2 partners, Ivan Schoch and Fred Holmes. Their initial purchase consisted of 12 acres of vineyards that were owned by the Stelling family.

Those acres are now used for the winery, cellars and offices at the estate. Believe it or not, this was the first new winery built in the Napa Valley since Louis Martini constructed his estate back in 1933!

It was a massive undertaking for Robert Mondavi at the time. His efforts and pioneering ideas on the production, as well as the sales, distribution and promotion of the California wine industry changed everything.

Prior to Robert Mondavi, few wines were sold as a specific grape varietal. Although Cabernet Sauvignon was sold under that name by his families winery, Charles Krug, the concept of focusing on specific grapes for a wide range of grapes was the brain child of Robert Mondavi.

In 1968, Ivan Schoch and Fred Holmes sold their shares in the fledgling Robert Mondavi winery to the Rainier Brewing Company. Robert Mondavi quickly took his profits and acquired 230 more acres of the To-Kalon vineyard.

The Founders of Opus One

Robert Mondavi soon began to create his own winery with his stated goal of making wine that could compete with the best wines from Europe. It was the first truly large, venture created in California since prohibition. The fruit source came from the now famous, To Kaylon Vineyards in Oakville.

In their formative years, growth of The Robert Mondavi Winery was aided by the young Michael Mondavi and the powerful, Rainier brewing company. In the early days, Robert Mondavi Winery produced wine from a myriad of grapes including Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Riesling, Zinfandel, Gamay, Petite Sirah and Sauvignon Blanc, which Mondavi renamed Fume Blanc. By the 1970’s, the winery began focusing on its core wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

While the 1970’s was a growth period for The Robert Mondavi Winery, it was a difficult time financially. Robert Mondavi was losing money.

A lot of money for the time. The lawsuit between Robert Mondavi and his families winery, Charles Krug also made its way to the courtroom. The decision in 1976 ended in Robert Mondavi’s favor.

Robert Mondavi was awarded a much needed cash infusion of more than $500,000 and more importantly, on a personal basis, the judge wrote that Robert Mondavi had acted with honor, while his brother Peter Mondavi had not.

The judge ordered the sale of the Charles Krug winery. However, the brothers reached their own settlement and in 1978, Peter Mondavi bought out Robert Mondavi. Part of the settlement between the brothers also transferred the ownership of the To Kaylon vineyards holdings to Robert Mondavi.

That was a major turning point for the winery and Robert Mondavi because this gave enough money to Robert Mondavi to let him buy out his partners. And more importantly, additional vineyard land from the original to Kalon vineyards and other great terroir in Oakville were not the property of Robert Mondavi, due to the settlement the brothers reached.

Robert Mondavi Vineyards, Wines, Winemaking

The new infusion of funds allowed Robert Mondavi to add to his vineyard holdings in the To Kaylon vineyards and obtained additional land in Oakville, Stags Leap District and Carneros. There was no looking back for robert Mondavi from that day on.

Robert Mondavi Winery

Robert Mondavi was one of the first wineries to popularize the production of a Reserve Wine. The first vintage using the reserve designation for their Cabernet Sauvignon was in 1968.

The rapid success of The Robert Mondavi Winery during the next several years was capped by the partnership between two famous families, the Mondavi family from Napa and the Rothschild family from Bordeaux.

Robert Mondavi and Philippe Rothschild owner of the famous Chateau Mouton Rothschild formed a partnership to produce a Bordeaux styled blend in Napa. Opus One made its debut with the 1979 vintage.

The historic partnership between Robert Mondavi and Baron Philippe Rothschild of Chateau Mouton Rothschild that created Opus One allowed for greater access to the world market for California wines. Much of the grapes used for Opus One were planted in the original To Kalon vineyard.

It’s interesting to note that even though Robert Mondavi was well aware that fruit from the To Kalon vineyard was the heart and soul of their Cabernet Sauvignon, it took until 1987 to register the name, and almost another decade before he began using the To Kalon name for Robert Mondavi wines.

This is logical, because at the time, the brand name of Robert Mondavi was important to selling their wines. Mondavi meant quality. Today, consumers, especially in the high end of the market place value the terroir and the vineyards where the grapes are grown.

The next important strategic alliance for Robert Mondavi with a European winery came in 1999, when Mondavi purchased a stake in Tenuta dell’ Ornellaia. Ornellaia came with close to 200 acres in the region of Tuscany. In 2002, Mondavi bought the remaining shares of Ornellaia.

The remainder of the 1980’s was a strong period of growth for Robert Mondavi. This was followed by what many people believe was the best period for the Robert Mondavi Winery, 1990 to 1997. The wines produced during those years rank with some of the top wines produced by any of the best vintners in California.

The 1991 as well as the 1994 Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon remain stunning wines after close to 20 years of age. With the 1995 vintage, Robert Mondavi began using the To Kaylon vineyard designation for his Fume Blanc labeling it, “To Kalon I-Block Reserve,” in honor of the vines being planted 50 years ago by Martin Stelling.

With the next vintage, they released their first To Kalon vineyard designated wine, 1996 Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon To Kalon Vineyard.

The next chapter of the winery did not fare as well. Several decisions made by some family members lessened the quality of the wine being produced, which hurt the brand in the marketplace.

Mondavi became a public company, which while on the surface, appeared to be a good business decision, forced the brand to spend more of their time on business while less of their energy was spent on what made them special in the first place, the wines of Robert Mondavi.

In 1993, Robert Mondavi Winery went public. While this might have been a good move, as it made it the family truly wealthy, it was also the beginning of the end for the Robert Mondavi Winery as we know it.

Tim Mondavi, the younger son was placed in charge of wine making. His desire to change the way the wines were made was not a success. The fruit was not picked at the same level of ripeness and because of that, the wines were not as rich, fleshy or interesting.

In interviews, Tim Mondavi was quoted as saying he was striving to produce wines that were easier to enjoy with meals. The market place did not react well and the brand continued to fall from favor. Adding to that was the focus on the branded wines like Woodbridge coupled with the lack of attention being paid to their supposedly best wines.

The valuable name of To-Kaylon eventually brought about contentious law-suits between Andy Beckstoffer and the Robert Mondavi winery, regarding the legal rights of placing the name on wine labels. The first suit was filed in 2002 By Robert Mondavi against Schrader, who filed a counter suit. This was followed by another suit by Andy Beckstoffer against Robert Mondavi.

The suit was settled with Andy Beckstoffer winning the rights to allow wineries the use the name To Kaylon on their wines. By 2016, perhaps 20 different wineries were able to by grapes from To Kalon. In theory, every winery must state the Beckstoffer To Kalon vineyard designation on the wine label.

It was an interesting development for a vineyard that Robert Mondavi did so much to develop, as he owned so many acres of the vineyard. Perhaps for the first time, Robert Mondavi did not see the future correctly, as he did not understand the consumers connection to the vineyards and terroir, over the winery. This train of though was wrongly followed by Constellation Brands as well.

Eventually the continuous public feuding among family led to the Mondavi family losing control of the board of directors for the company they created. Finally, things came to an end when the decision was reached to sell the Robert Mondavi Winery to Constellation Brands in December 2004 for one billion dollars.

That was a fortune. But it was also a huge loss to the reputation of one of the greatest brands, from perhaps the best known, and respected figure to come from Napa Valley, Robert Mondavi. Robert Mondavi passed away at the age of 94, May 16, 2008.

Serving and Decanting Robert Mondavi wines with Wine, Food, Pairing Tips

Robert Mondavi wines are best served at 15.5 degrees Celsius, 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The cool, almost cellar temperature gives the wine more freshness and lift. Young vintages of their red wine can be decanted for 1-3 hours, depending on the character of the vintage. This allows the wine to soften and open its perfume. Older vintages might need very little decanting, just enough to remove the sediment.

The red wine of Robert Mondavi is best served with all types of classic meat dishes, veal, pork, beef, lamb, duck, game, roast chicken, ribs, hamburgers, barbecue, roasted, braised, grilled dishes and stews. Robert Mondavi is also good with Asian dishes, hearty fish courses like tuna, salmon, mushrooms and pasta.

The white wine of Robert Mondavi is best served with all types of seafood and shellfish, sushi, sashimi, chicken, veal, pork and cheese.

www.robertmondavi.com

Robert Mondavi Winery Wine Tasting Notes

24 Vintages 166,508 Views Sort by Vintage-Rating

2014
91
Luscious fruits, silky, soft tannins and nuances of leaf, flowers and plums dusted with chocolate. The wine is forward, round and polished. It is already quite tasty.

Luscious fruits, silky, soft tannins and nuances of leaf, flowers and plums dusted with chocolate. The wine is forward, round and polished. It is already quite tasty.

3,097 Views   Tasted
2014
90
Medium bodied, with ample, fresh, red fruits, soft tannins and earthy complexities. you can drink this on release, should you wish.

Medium bodied, with ample, fresh, red fruits, soft tannins and earthy complexities. you can drink this on release, should you wish.

3,637 Views   Tasted
2014
89
Light in color, medium bodied with more fresh, bright red fruits than darker tones. The wine is already open, leaving you with more red berries with hints of licorice in the finish.

Light in color, medium bodied with more fresh, bright red fruits than darker tones. The wine is already open, leaving you with more red berries with hints of licorice in the finish.

4,478 Views   Tasted
2013
94
This is a beauty. It has richness, perfectly ripe, dark red fruits, lush, round, polished tannins and the structure to age for 2-3 decades. Still young, yet everything is so soft, it is already far too easy to enjoy, and the best is yet come. That is, if you can wait for at least a decade or more.

This is a beauty. It has richness, perfectly ripe, dark red fruits, lush, round, polished tannins and the structure to age for 2-3 decades. Still young, yet everything is so soft, it is already far too easy to enjoy, and the best is yet come. That is, if you can wait for at least a decade or more.

5,556 Views   Tasted
2012
94
This is a super Cabernet Sauvignon with a kiss of oak, smoke, blackberries, black cherries, licorice, fresh herbs and cocoa. The wine is sweet, polished, fresh, ripe and elegant, with soft tannins and a long finish.

This is a super Cabernet Sauvignon with a kiss of oak, smoke, blackberries, black cherries, licorice, fresh herbs and cocoa. The wine is sweet, polished, fresh, ripe and elegant, with soft tannins and a long finish.

4,417 Views   Tasted
2012
89
Medium bodied, elegant, ripe, fresh and forward, the wine finishes with sweet, easy drinking black cherries in the end note. This is well made, but it lacks excitement.

Medium bodied, elegant, ripe, fresh and forward, the wine finishes with sweet, easy drinking black cherries in the end note. This is well made, but it lacks excitement.

3,885 Views   Tasted
2011
87
Light in color, with an herb, red cherry and spicy personality, this is best enjoyed in its youth.

Light in color, with an herb, red cherry and spicy personality, this is best enjoyed in its youth.

4,359 Views   Tasted
2010
93
Classic, classy example of California Cabernet Sauvignon, with 4% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc added to the blend. In the glass, licorice, oak, smoke, dark berries, earth and cocoa open to a soft, forward, polished, easy like wine that ends with dark chocolate covered blackberries.

Classic, classy example of California Cabernet Sauvignon, with 4% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc added to the blend. In the glass, licorice, oak, smoke, dark berries, earth and cocoa open to a soft, forward, polished, easy like wine that ends with dark chocolate covered blackberries.

5,546 Views   Tasted
2009
93
With 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot in the blend, this plush, soft, polished style of California wine is packed with ripe blackberries, juicy plums, earth and hints of cigar box. This should age nicely. Give it 5 -10 years in the cellar to dd more softness and complexity.

With 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot in the blend, this plush, soft, polished style of California wine is packed with ripe blackberries, juicy plums, earth and hints of cigar box. This should age nicely. Give it 5 -10 years in the cellar to dd more softness and complexity.

4,053 Views   Tasted
2001
93
A really pretty wine that would make a great ringer in a blind tasting of Bordeaux with its tobacco, truffle, blackberry, cassis and earthy nose. The wine is rich, soft and round in texture, ending with a sweet, black cherry and cassis filled finish. There is not hurry to drink it, but it's showing great today.

A really pretty wine that would make a great ringer in a blind tasting of Bordeaux with its tobacco, truffle, blackberry, cassis and earthy nose. The wine is rich, soft and round in texture, ending with a sweet, black cherry and cassis filled finish. There is not hurry to drink it, but it's showing great today.

8,017 Views   Tasted
1997
95
The second vintage labeled as coming from the To Kalon vineyard displays a complex perfume packed with tobacco, cedar chest, earth, kirsch and forest floor aromas. The perfect wine to insert as a ringer in a blind tasting with a flight of Bordeaux. The wine is rich, pure, elegant, fresh and deep, finishing with cherries, cassis, dark fruits and spice.

The second vintage labeled as coming from the To Kalon vineyard displays a complex perfume packed with tobacco, cedar chest, earth, kirsch and forest floor aromas. The perfect wine to insert as a ringer in a blind tasting with a flight of Bordeaux. The wine is rich, pure, elegant, fresh and deep, finishing with cherries, cassis, dark fruits and spice.

2,847 Views   Tasted
1997
92
Cedar wood, tobacco, herbs and cassis on the nose, the wine is medium bodied, soft, elegant in style, ending with a soft, polished finish.

Cedar wood, tobacco, herbs and cassis on the nose, the wine is medium bodied, soft, elegant in style, ending with a soft, polished finish.

4,629 Views   Tasted
Still young, the wine is filled with earth, tobacco, cassis, cocoa and blackberry jam. Full bodied, rich, ripe and round, this delicious expression of California Sauvignon will offer pleasure for at least another decade.

Still young, the wine is filled with earth, tobacco, cassis, cocoa and blackberry jam. Full bodied, rich, ripe and round, this delicious expression of California Sauvignon will offer pleasure for at least another decade.

7,343 Views   Tasted
1996
93
On the nose, tobacco, cassis and blackberry sensations that move to a full bodied, concentrated blast of ripe, sweet, ripe, plums and black fruits This is ready to go.

On the nose, tobacco, cassis and blackberry sensations that move to a full bodied, concentrated blast of ripe, sweet, ripe, plums and black fruits This is ready to go.

4,455 Views   Tasted
1995
92
Bricked in color, this bottle seemed like it was fading with its full mature bouquet of tobacco, smoke, earth, cassis and spicy nose. The wine was soft and polished with all its tannin resolved, but I think this was a bit richer a year or two ago. Drink up...

Bricked in color, this bottle seemed like it was fading with its full mature bouquet of tobacco, smoke, earth, cassis and spicy nose. The wine was soft and polished with all its tannin resolved, but I think this was a bit richer a year or two ago. Drink up...

5,237 Views   Tasted
1994
95
Licorice, tobacco and cassis in the nose, the wine is soft, supple and round in texture, ending with a sweet, fresh cassis, black , cherry filled, dusty finish. Mature and ready to go. This represents great value in a mature, California Cabernet Sauvignon wine.

Licorice, tobacco and cassis in the nose, the wine is soft, supple and round in texture, ending with a sweet, fresh cassis, black , cherry filled, dusty finish. Mature and ready to go. This represents great value in a mature, California Cabernet Sauvignon wine.

5,514 Views   Tasted
Mushroom, earth, blackberry, herb, tobacco and tar filled perfume notes start off the wine4. Full bodied, concentrated and balanced, this exciting wine should age for years.

Mushroom, earth, blackberry, herb, tobacco and tar filled perfume notes start off the wine4. Full bodied, concentrated and balanced, this exciting wine should age for years.

8,415 Views   Tasted
1991
97
This is one of those great, classic, California Cabernet Sauvignon wines that really delivers the goods. Dark in color, full bodied, concentrated, and with a true depth of flavor and complexity, I can see drinking this in 20 years. It might be through a straw, but it is some serious juice!

This is one of those great, classic, California Cabernet Sauvignon wines that really delivers the goods. Dark in color, full bodied, concentrated, and with a true depth of flavor and complexity, I can see drinking this in 20 years. It might be through a straw, but it is some serious juice!

4,075 Views   Tasted
Popped and poured, the wine was all about the classic Bordeaux Left Bank aromas of tobacco, cassis and leafy aromas. Concentrated and full bodied, the fruit filled finish packed a punch in all the right ways you'd expect from a mature, classic California wine.

Popped and poured, the wine was all about the classic Bordeaux Left Bank aromas of tobacco, cassis and leafy aromas. Concentrated and full bodied, the fruit filled finish packed a punch in all the right ways you'd expect from a mature, classic California wine.

3,665 Views   Tasted
The perfect example of classic, California Cabernet Sauvignon at its best. Sweet, fresh, red and black fruits, complex aromatics and a long, sweet, supple, round finish that leaves you with fruit and freshness. This is showing great today and could get even better. For a wine this good, I think it's still selling for a song.

The perfect example of classic, California Cabernet Sauvignon at its best. Sweet, fresh, red and black fruits, complex aromatics and a long, sweet, supple, round finish that leaves you with fruit and freshness. This is showing great today and could get even better. For a wine this good, I think it's still selling for a song.

4,611 Views   Tasted
If you are seeking a California Cabernet Sauvignon to bring as a ringer to a Bordeaux tasting, this is the wine. Tobacco, smoke, earth, stone, cassis and black cherry , fill the nose. The wine is concentrated, fresh, deep and long, with just the right amount of crispness and a hint of herb and green olive in the finish. For a wine of this quality, with close to 25 years of bottle age, this is a steal in the marketplace today.

If you are seeking a California Cabernet Sauvignon to bring as a ringer to a Bordeaux tasting, this is the wine. Tobacco, smoke, earth, stone, cassis and black cherry , fill the nose. The wine is concentrated, fresh, deep and long, with just the right amount of crispness and a hint of herb and green olive in the finish. For a wine of this quality, with close to 25 years of bottle age, this is a steal in the marketplace today.

6,052 Views   Tasted
1991 Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon continues to be a future legend in the making. Everytime I taste it, I am reminded of the $25 I paid and love it all the more. This packed and stacked California Cabernet Sauvignon has everything working in all the right places. A nose filled with licorice, cocoa, earth, blackberry jam, truffle, cigar box and spice. With an intense concentration of flavor, ripe, round tannins and a long, fresh, pure, black and red berry finish, this is so young at 20 years of age, if it’s well stored, this could give pleasure until it hits 50. Bravo! From a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc, this could easily pass as an outstanding Left Bank Bordeaux wine in a blind tasting.

1991 Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon continues to be a future legend in the making. Everytime I taste it, I am reminded of the $25 I paid and love it all the more. This packed and stacked California Cabernet Sauvignon has everything working in all the right places. A nose filled with licorice, cocoa, earth, blackberry jam, truffle, cigar box and spice. With an intense concentration of flavor, ripe, round tannins and a long, fresh, pure, black and red berry finish, this is so young at 20 years of age, if it’s well stored, this could give pleasure until it hits 50. Bravo! From a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc, this could easily pass as an outstanding Left Bank Bordeaux wine in a blind tasting.

7,694 Views   Tasted
What a stunning wine! Cassis, tobacco, truffle, earth and blackberry scents open to a concentrated, full bodied, powerful, dense mouthful of ripe, soft, Caberent. Power and elegance, with gobs of fruit are the hallmarks of this wine. Served blind, this is a perfect ringer to insert in a Bordeaux tasting. This could age and develop for at least another 20 years!

What a stunning wine! Cassis, tobacco, truffle, earth and blackberry scents open to a concentrated, full bodied, powerful, dense mouthful of ripe, soft, Caberent. Power and elegance, with gobs of fruit are the hallmarks of this wine. Served blind, this is a perfect ringer to insert in a Bordeaux tasting. This could age and develop for at least another 20 years!

8,456 Views   Tasted
1990
94
Tobacco, truffle, cassis, iron and dark berry fruit aromatics start this concentrated wine off. With soft textures and elegant styings, this concentrated, fully mature wine ends with a mouthful of ripe, juicy dark fruit. Served blind to friends in Bordeaux, all the tasters thought the wine was French!

Tobacco, truffle, cassis, iron and dark berry fruit aromatics start this concentrated wine off. With soft textures and elegant styings, this concentrated, fully mature wine ends with a mouthful of ripe, juicy dark fruit. Served blind to friends in Bordeaux, all the tasters thought the wine was French!

10,112 Views   Tasted
1987
93
Opening with tobacco, earth and cassis notes. Soft, elegant and medium bodied, the finish ended with a melange of red and black fruits. This seemed fully mature and may have been more interesting a few years ago. I'd drink this sooner than later

Opening with tobacco, earth and cassis notes. Soft, elegant and medium bodied, the finish ended with a melange of red and black fruits. This seemed fully mature and may have been more interesting a few years ago. I'd drink this sooner than later

8,216 Views   Tasted
1978
94
Still showing great, although it was from a double magnum, which needs to be taken into account, the wine is full bodied, concentrated, lively and loaded with cherries, cranberry, tobacco leaf, peppery spice and leafy notes. Soft, bright and charming, the red fruits linger on your palate. At 41 years of age, there is no reason to hold off from popping a cork here.

Still showing great, although it was from a double magnum, which needs to be taken into account, the wine is full bodied, concentrated, lively and loaded with cherries, cranberry, tobacco leaf, peppery spice and leafy notes. Soft, bright and charming, the red fruits linger on your palate. At 41 years of age, there is no reason to hold off from popping a cork here.

4,821 Views   Tasted
1974
85
Slightly past its prime, with a chocolate, mint, tobacco and earth nose, the lacked fruit in the semi tart finish. Drink up.

Slightly past its prime, with a chocolate, mint, tobacco and earth nose, the lacked fruit in the semi tart finish. Drink up.

7,649 Views   Tasted
1973
92
Popped and poured, this could be a great ringer for an older, mature Pauillac. There is softness to the tannins, ripe, fresh, earthy red berries, cedar and tobacco, all in perfect proportions, this is a nice treat, especially when you stop to consider that it's only a few years away from 50 years of age!

Popped and poured, this could be a great ringer for an older, mature Pauillac. There is softness to the tannins, ripe, fresh, earthy red berries, cedar and tobacco, all in perfect proportions, this is a nice treat, especially when you stop to consider that it's only a few years away from 50 years of age!

3,698 Views   Tasted
1970
70
Barely hanging on to life. If it wasn't dead already, it was close. Nice leaf and earth nose, but the palate offered very little fruit and even less pleasure. For people who old for sake of age, they might like it more than I did. I'm happy to say I do not own bottles of this wine

Barely hanging on to life. If it wasn't dead already, it was close. Nice leaf and earth nose, but the palate offered very little fruit and even less pleasure. For people who old for sake of age, they might like it more than I did. I'm happy to say I do not own bottles of this wine

5,552 Views   Tasted
1969
90
Served for a friends 50th birthday, this is a pretty wine. It's not big, or fruity, it's on the elegant, fresh, cherry and cranberry side, with a hit of cedar, tobacco and forest leaf. The texture is soft, with sweet and tart red fruits from start to finish. I am not sure this will make it for their 60th, but if you need to celebrate someones 50th, this is a good choice. It is really quite charming and fun to taste.

Served for a friends 50th birthday, this is a pretty wine. It's not big, or fruity, it's on the elegant, fresh, cherry and cranberry side, with a hit of cedar, tobacco and forest leaf. The texture is soft, with sweet and tart red fruits from start to finish. I am not sure this will make it for their 60th, but if you need to celebrate someones 50th, this is a good choice. It is really quite charming and fun to taste.

4,393 Views   Tasted
1968
90
At the end of its better days, there is still plenty to like about the medium bodied, earthy, herbal, sweet, ripe, fresh red fruits. The wine is clean, soft, bright and demands you open it, if you are sitting on any.

At the end of its better days, there is still plenty to like about the medium bodied, earthy, herbal, sweet, ripe, fresh red fruits. The wine is clean, soft, bright and demands you open it, if you are sitting on any.

2,029 Views   Tasted