Robert Mondavi Latest Releases

Before Robert Mondavi came on the scene, the direction of California winemaking was simply “let’s all do what the Frenchies do.” American vintners were all trying to emulate French wines. Robert Mondavi, almost single handedly, led the fight for American wines made from American grown grapes and made for the American palate Needless to say his efforts paid off and the direction of American winemaking changed forever.
Robert Mondavi probably had no inkling when he began to make wine, that he was setting out on a 30 year journey that would revolutionize the wine world and set himself up as a living legend. Prior to his entrance into the field as a major player, the great names of the wine industry were all foreign, and for the most part French. There were Counts, Barons, Grafs, Princes and all manner of regal titles, but few, if any, just plain misters. Robert Mondavi changed all of that.
The methods of his success is the subject for books and too detailed to be taken up here, but it is enough to say that by producing wine that matched and complimented the American way of life, he carved his name into the monument of eternity.
Although Robert Mondavi is no longer with us, his son has taken over the reins and is continuing his father’s work, in his father’s style. There can be little question that the Mondavi family, has and is still setting the style for California wines

Robert Mondavi 2009 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($28). It was on cabernet sauvignon that Robert Mondavi built his reputation and it is still the cabernet sauvignon that sustains that reputation. Grapes for this wine were selected from many of the differentiated growing regions in the Napa Valley. This wine was literally hand crafted by blending the wine from these grapes to take advantage of their individual flavor nuances derived from the areas from which they came. The aroma is complex, encompassing an ever changing kaleidoscope of black currant, ripe berry, plum and spice, with cedar, oak, vanilla and dark chocolate. The flavor echoes the aroma, trailing to an unusually long finish. There is enough tannin in this wine to assure its continued improvement over the next decade. This is a wine that can be enjoyed now or set aside for additional bottle aging. Doing so will reward the drinker with an unforgettable experience.

Robert Mondavi 2010 Carneros Pinot Noir ($27). The Robert Mondavi winemakers have brought the best out of this very difficult to work with grape. Where most winemakers struggle with this grape they have made it a star. The Carneros district of the Napa valley is known for growing some of the finest pinot noir grapes in the world. The traditional aromas of cherries and rose petals that are the signature of wines made from this grape, are prominent, but are overshadowed by the powerful aroma of cranberries. The cranberry aroma carries over to the flavor where it mingles with cherry and plum. The background of this wine proves to be just as interesting, displaying the flavors of cinnamon, clove, dark chocolate, oak and vanilla. For a difficult to work with grape, Mondavi vintners have produce a stunning and outstanding vintage.

Robert Mondavi 2009 Napa Valley Chardonnay ($20). The grapes for this wine were chosen from selected vineyards in the Napa Valley with a portion of the grapes coming from Sonoma County. At a time when chardonnay wines are becoming commonplace and mundane, the Robert Mondavi 2008 Napa Valley Chardonnay is a refreshing view of an old standard. This wine displays an up front and quite obvious full fruit aroma stressing citrus, pineapple, pear, and springtime flowers. These aromas carry over to the flavor where they mingle with tropical fruit and green apple. There is also a spicy, under flavor that has just a slight hint of oak and vanilla. This is a very pleasant wine that is easy to drink and even easier to enjoy.