Served with a 1991 Duckhorn alongside as a vintage comparison; this has held up remarkably well; initial pour was lovely with cassis, tobacco, a bit of bell pepper, a hint of spice and damp earth; good depth initially, but this faded fairly quickly and became unbalanced and less pleasurable; still pretty solid at 32 for this level of wine
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In a tasting of mid-level 1991 Cab-based California wines this red was delightful, placing second. With a big, sweet bouquet of black fruits, vanilla, and spice, followed by a smooth, seamless, full bodied palate of pit fruits (black cherry & plum), cedar, smoky oak, and earthy hints, this wine reveals the continued uniqueness of Napa’s 1991 vintage.
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Medium ruby to garnet at the rim, remarkable that there is no sign of bricking. Blackberry, currant jelly, dusty earth, and a touch of a herbal quality to the nose. The palate is medium to light, with surprisingly juiciness remaining, good freshness, and a light background of tannin holding on. There is still a sense of glossiness from the oak that shows up on the finish along with a reprise of the currant notes. This was a surprisingly lively napa Cabernet given the age and fact that it's not a bottling made to be cellared this long.
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“G8 summit – Old New World” (blind), Wine 2: The wine was medium ruby in colour and offered red fruit, red fruit effervescent powder, black currant, spice, meaty notes and a mild vegetal component on the nose. On the palate, the wine showed red and dark fruit, spice and mint, with good acidity, mostly resolved tannin and very good length. Cellared in ideal conditions, this wine showed very well tonight. My number four of the sixteen wines tasted, some in the group named it their number one.
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I wanted an old bottle tonight and I went deep to get it. In 93 I laid in a case of 91 Robert Mondavi Cab Sav Napa. Tonight was the final bottle, a last tango with an old friend. The previous one, tried in 2014 had spoiled and I wasn't optimistic about this one. After twenty in the decanter, I poured and sampled. There was significant browning, but the nose was true, without a hint of barnyard or funk. Just a whisper of fruit left, with plenty of coffee, tobacco and bakers chocolate. The pallet was magnificent, elegant, justifying all the trouble we go to in aging these FKR's. Just enough black fruit up front to remind you that this stuff starts out as grapes. The rest is dark spice, minerals, leather & chocolate. The mid pallet extends into an endless finish of anise, tobacco, and hints of clove. Best bottle of the year by far. 94 Wish I had more, Wish I was tall, Wish I could share, But I'm drinking it all. SAYONARA.
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Shockingly still good for its age! Light garnet in color. A some funk and a trace of fruit on the nose; fine tannins are still present with muted fruit. Very enjoyable for an elderly wine.
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Expecting this wine to be over - but it turned out to be the star of our 'over the hill' tasting. Still plenty of character. A bit spicy and still some fruit in there. We opened about 45 minutes before drinking and then used an aerator. Going to drink up the remaining bottles in the next 12 months.
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The cork was very bad and it crumbled. I screen filtered the wine into a decanter. After 15 min. Started to try it and was delighted that the wine was still in fine shape.
It has a great old cab nose with just a trace of mustiness.
Tannins were a little grippy at first but smoothed out quickly after the first 30 min. Still some black fruit left (currant and plum) but it is all up front. The mid pallet is all about leather, cedar, mint with bits of earthiness. Acidity is falling away.
A very long finish of pepper, coffee and fading black fruit. There is just a hint of an aftertaste from that crapy cork.
I have two more bottles that need to go soon. It is more a factor of the cork than the staying power of the wine.
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Having dinner with friends at Smith and Wollensky in DC. I ordered a bottle of this off of the library menu. I thought that it would be a nice wine to go with our steaks. I was not disappointed. This is one of the finest bottles of 1991 Napa Cabernet that I have ever had. It was dark ruby in color with notes of vanilla and black currant on the nose. The taste was incredible. It exploded across the palate with a suppleness that was amazing for a 19 yr old Napa Cab. It had a long rich finish that brought forth the vanilla and black currants that were on the nose. An incredible bottle with a great meal.
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This showed a good bit better than the last time I had it, but it is definitely approaching the end of it's life. While there was still some fruit lingering in the background (dark berries and cassis), it is the earth notes that are much more pronounced now, with some tobacco and saddle leather coming through in a pretty forward way. I must sy that this wine has aged quite gracefully, and at this point in it's life it is much more like a mature Bordeaux than an aging over-blown fruit bomb that so many California growers put out in the '90's. Too bad Mr. Mondavi is no longer around to oversee his winery, as I know we won't see anything with this much grace coming out of the current ownership.
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Went for an older cab to go with a grilled steak on Sunday. Dark color, brooding nose and surprisingly unevolved in every way. Solid wine - 91 pts. Finished off an open riesling on Monday. Returned to the Mondavi 48 hours after opening, not expecting much. WOW!! With one third of a bottle with nothing done to preserve save a stopper and a place on the counter, this baby opened up into a gorgeous wine; supple and balanced. Still looking like a wine half it's age. Excellent - 93 pts after all that time open and aired.
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5 years of Mondavi Napa CS '90-'94 and other assorted bottles (Encino, CA.): This is completely different from the 1990. It shows less fruit and much more earthy characteristics. Aromas of mushroom, forest floor, pine and tobacco. The palate mimicks the nose with a bit of unresolved tannin. I feel like this wine possesses a solid structure and balance, if only the fruit could have been brighter. Still not a bad wine by any means, but more of an educational tool.
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We drank a 1991 and a 1992 of this wine side by side with a roast pork dinner. The 1992 was far superior. The 1991 had a deep robost color with little bricking. Its initial aroma was full and lush. However, the palate was all over the place. It changed dramatically over a relatively short time. The taste showed a deep fruit characteristic however it was changing to a port-like taste. The bottle was been well kept since release and the fill level was good; however, the cork showed color up the sides. I think there may have been some air leakage and the palate was reflecting this situation. All in all a disappointment given the rating this vintage and wine had way back when. The 1992 on the other hand was a bit tight upon being opened but quickly blossomed to demontrate a good balance of tannins and fruit. It had a nice aroma and a deep color albeit a bit lighter than the 1991. This 1992 bottle was classic Mondavi Napa in its palate characteristics. I think it could actually last longer but I am not sure what the benefit would be - its a very nice aged Napa Cabernet Sauvignon at this point.
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8/18/2023 - jnewman77 wrote:
Served with a 1991 Duckhorn alongside as a vintage comparison; this has held up remarkably well; initial pour was lovely with cassis, tobacco, a bit of bell pepper, a hint of spice and damp earth; good depth initially, but this faded fairly quickly and became unbalanced and less pleasurable; still pretty solid at 32 for this level of wine
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4/14/2023 - Gerard Ruiz wrote: 92 Points
Hard to believe this is a 32 year old Napa Bottling. Held up very nicely. Still alive but declining.
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2/21/2022 - SMWSLT Likes this wine: 93 Points
In a tasting of mid-level 1991 Cab-based California wines this red was delightful, placing second. With a big, sweet bouquet of black fruits, vanilla, and spice, followed by a smooth, seamless, full bodied palate of pit fruits (black cherry & plum), cedar, smoky oak, and earthy hints, this wine reveals the continued uniqueness of Napa’s 1991 vintage.
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10/24/2021 - jlm wrote:
Medium ruby to garnet at the rim, remarkable that there is no sign of bricking. Blackberry, currant jelly, dusty earth, and a touch of a herbal quality to the nose. The palate is medium to light, with surprisingly juiciness remaining, good freshness, and a light background of tannin holding on. There is still a sense of glossiness from the oak that shows up on the finish along with a reprise of the currant notes. This was a surprisingly lively napa Cabernet given the age and fact that it's not a bottling made to be cellared this long.
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1/6/2018 - PSPatrick wrote: 91 Points
“G8 summit – Old New World” (blind), Wine 2: The wine was medium ruby in colour and offered red fruit, red fruit effervescent powder, black currant, spice, meaty notes and a mild vegetal component on the nose. On the palate, the wine showed red and dark fruit, spice and mint, with good acidity, mostly resolved tannin and very good length. Cellared in ideal conditions, this wine showed very well tonight. My number four of the sixteen wines tasted, some in the group named it their number one.
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9/8/2016 - Nike-Raider Likes this wine: 94 Points
I wanted an old bottle tonight and I went deep to get it. In 93 I laid in a case of 91 Robert Mondavi Cab Sav Napa. Tonight was the final bottle, a last tango with an old friend. The previous one, tried in 2014 had spoiled and I wasn't optimistic about this one.
After twenty in the decanter, I poured and sampled. There was significant browning, but the nose was true, without a hint of barnyard or funk. Just a whisper of fruit left, with plenty of coffee, tobacco and bakers chocolate.
The pallet was magnificent, elegant, justifying all the trouble we go to in aging these FKR's. Just enough black fruit up front to remind you that this stuff starts out as grapes. The rest is dark spice, minerals, leather & chocolate. The mid pallet extends into an endless finish of anise, tobacco, and hints of clove. Best bottle of the year by far. 94
Wish I had more,
Wish I was tall,
Wish I could share,
But I'm drinking it all.
SAYONARA.
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2/9/2016 - janendave wrote: 89 Points
Amazingly good for a wine that should be well past its prime. Plenty of fruit still. Drink em if you got em.
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2/22/2014 - CalypsoPoet wrote: 89 Points
Shockingly still good for its age! Light garnet in color. A some funk and a trace of fruit on the nose; fine tannins are still present with muted fruit. Very enjoyable for an elderly wine.
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10/2/2013 - Nike-Raider wrote:
I tried this wine in July and was very pleased. But now in October, the wine in this bottle is "cooked", very bitter. A real disappointment.
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8/25/2013 - janendave Likes this wine: 89 Points
Expecting this wine to be over - but it turned out to be the star of our 'over the hill' tasting. Still plenty of character. A bit spicy and still some fruit in there. We opened about 45 minutes before drinking and then used an aerator. Going to drink up the remaining bottles in the next 12 months.
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7/27/2013 - Nike-Raider Likes this wine: 90 Points
The cork was very bad and it crumbled. I screen filtered the wine into a decanter. After 15 min. Started to try it and was delighted that the wine was still in fine shape.
It has a great old cab nose with just a trace of mustiness.
Tannins were a little grippy at first but smoothed out quickly after the first 30 min. Still some black fruit left (currant and plum) but it is all up front. The mid pallet is all about leather, cedar, mint with bits of earthiness. Acidity is falling away.
A very long finish of pepper, coffee and fading black fruit. There is just a hint of an aftertaste from that crapy cork.
I have two more bottles that need to go soon. It is more a factor of the cork than the staying power of the wine.
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5/7/2013 - coach87 wrote: 87 Points
Enjoyed with friends at a wine dinner. Still hanging in there.
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11/24/2012 - sharmless11 wrote: 90 Points
Decanted and drank at Harmless Thanksgiving. After 21 years, it was still delicious. Nice big Cab.
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1/7/2012 - Jaco2112 wrote: 95 Points
From a double magnum. The wine was superb with all the subdued elements of a mature Cabernet.
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3/19/2011 - jlgnml wrote: 88 Points
Super clean color. Almost see through. Lacked depth. Soft on the palate. Drink yesteryear.
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5/18/2010 - vwsmaltz wrote: 96 Points
Having dinner with friends at Smith and Wollensky in DC. I ordered a bottle of this off of the library menu. I thought that it would be a nice wine to go with our steaks. I was not disappointed. This is one of the finest bottles of 1991 Napa Cabernet that I have ever had. It was dark ruby in color with notes of vanilla and black currant on the nose. The taste was incredible. It exploded across the palate with a suppleness that was amazing for a 19 yr old Napa Cab. It had a long rich finish that brought forth the vanilla and black currants that were on the nose. An incredible bottle with a great meal.
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4/2/2010 - davergny wrote: 89 Points
Integrated fruit, earthy. Holding up well but time to drink up.
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1/10/2010 - tdcd@comcast.net wrote: 90 Points
Mondavi cabernets never dissapoint
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5/9/2009 - ArizonaWineGuy wrote: 89 Points
This showed a good bit better than the last time I had it, but it is definitely approaching the end of it's life. While there was still some fruit lingering in the background (dark berries and cassis), it is the earth notes that are much more pronounced now, with some tobacco and saddle leather coming through in a pretty forward way. I must sy that this wine has aged quite gracefully, and at this point in it's life it is much more like a mature Bordeaux than an aging over-blown fruit bomb that so many California growers put out in the '90's. Too bad Mr. Mondavi is no longer around to oversee his winery, as I know we won't see anything with this much grace coming out of the current ownership.
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8/13/2006 - Eric wrote: 91 Points
Seattle Tasting Group does California Cabernet (Sammamish, WA): A medicinal nose with rosemary, smoke and a hint of horse. This is big and burly but lacks a bit of verve. Still, rather nice.
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5/9/2006 - jmoore431 wrote: 93 Points
Went for an older cab to go with a grilled steak on Sunday. Dark color, brooding nose and surprisingly unevolved in every way. Solid wine - 91 pts. Finished off an open riesling on Monday. Returned to the Mondavi 48 hours after opening, not expecting much. WOW!! With one third of a bottle with nothing done to preserve save a stopper and a place on the counter, this baby opened up into a gorgeous wine; supple and balanced. Still looking like a wine half it's age. Excellent - 93 pts after all that time open and aired.
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7/16/2005 - gregg g wrote:
5 years of Mondavi Napa CS '90-'94 and other assorted bottles (Encino, CA.): This is completely different from the 1990. It shows less fruit and much more earthy characteristics. Aromas of mushroom, forest floor, pine and tobacco. The palate mimicks the nose with a bit of unresolved tannin. I feel like this wine possesses a solid structure and balance, if only the fruit could have been brighter. Still not a bad wine by any means, but more of an educational tool.
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7/9/2005 - Redteeth wrote: 80 Points
We drank a 1991 and a 1992 of this wine side by side with a roast pork dinner. The 1992 was far superior. The 1991 had a deep robost color with little bricking. Its initial aroma was full and lush. However, the palate was all over the place. It changed dramatically over a relatively short time. The taste showed a deep fruit characteristic however it was changing to a port-like taste. The bottle was been well kept since release and the fill level was good; however, the cork showed color up the sides. I think there may have been some air leakage and the palate was reflecting this situation. All in all a disappointment given the rating this vintage and wine had way back when. The 1992 on the other hand was a bit tight upon being opened but quickly blossomed to demontrate a good balance of tannins and fruit. It had a nice aroma and a deep color albeit a bit lighter than the 1991. This 1992 bottle was classic Mondavi Napa in its palate characteristics. I think it could actually last longer but I am not sure what the benefit would be - its a very nice aged Napa Cabernet Sauvignon at this point.
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2/15/2000 - chris_3 wrote: 85 Points
delicious subtle multiple flavors medium tannin 9
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1/1/2000 - chris_3 wrote: 75 Points
OK simple cab maybe too old
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3/12/1995 - dbg wrote:
dark red/purple. Mint, veggies, cassis, spice on nose. Medium body
with rich ripe fruit, smooth rich palate feel, smooth tannins, fine
finish
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4/4/1992 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 89 Points
Robert Mondavi and First Growth Bordeaux (Walnut Creek, Ca.): Barrel Sample tasted. bright fruity nose, good wine, little simple, fruit forward, should be very good.
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