Excellent. Drank at dinner at Flemings in Walnut Creek with Dennis and Derrald. In fantastic shape. Cork was a bit dry but came out cleanly with an Ahso. Wine was very flavorful with a perfect nuanced and complex balance of fruit, tannin and acid. Not as powerful as the Dunn C.S. that we also had at dinner, but the Mondavi more than made up for that with its perfect balance and taste. This has always been one of my favorites, and it retained its position with spades.Plum, raspberry, and blueberry fruit. Very mellow. Favorite with all at the table and also the Flemings sommolier. Thank goodness I still have more left.
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Hard to love, hard and austere in style. Redcurrant with a touch of mineral and loam dominate the stern nose. It just isn’t giving. The palate has a similar red profile and the acidity overpowers the remaining fruit and hard tannin. Followed for several hours with some slight improvement.
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From benchmark wine offer about 2 months ago. Stood up about 1 day prior to opening. Cork in fantastic shape, used the Adouze method no problems at all. Decanted about 30 mins prior to first taste, but could tell even while decanting that we had a winner. Sweet Cabernet fruit permeated the whole room. Surprised by how little sediment this wine had.
Bright clear dark ruby wine. Nose has definitely moved towards tertiary tones but is much more sweet fruit and cedar type note driven. Palate matches driven by fruit and smooth silky resolved tannin. Fantastic bright acidity complements some of the heavy tertiary notes and balances well.
Overall this wine is in a great sweet spot and the acidity makes me think it will still hover there for a few more years. If you’re lucky enough to have some of these around, great time to open one up for the holidays!
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I was very excited when the cork came out in such good condition. The initial aroma from the open bottle told me that this baby had plenty of life left in it, which was confirmed upon the first sip. Silky smooth cabernet with a decent finish. This was a treat enjoyed by all for my wife's 41st birthday dinner.
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Tasted at The Fine Wine Experience Mature Robert Mondavi Tasting, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong. Although this still has some sweetness, it is definitely on the downhill slope now. Nevertheless, the elegance remains.
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Cork was in awesome condition, surprisingly good. Beautiful garnet and bricking showing its age. Cedar and leathery notes on the nose initially giving way to rasiny notes as it opens up. Lithe palate with minerality and leather and a hint of red fruit and earth. Finish is still tannic with a long lingering flavor that lasts a good 30 seconds. Still has time to go but drinking really pretty now.
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A beautiful mature Napa cabernet. Eucalyptus and cedar intermix with mature red fruit on the nose, with surprisingly vigorous (given the age) dark fruit complicating a core of mellow cherry on the palate. Tobacco and minty spice notes on the finish. Balanced. Quite nice.
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Two wines with half of the Wine Advocate crew. (Racines, NYC): I was originally thinking of bringing an old Rioja to share with Luis, but than thought better of it as he certainly drinks his share of them in Spain and opted instead to bring one of my favorite old Cabs. Wouldn't you know it? Corked! NR.
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PNV week, at a very special tasting at Continuum. The family was very nice to share this as a pairing to the 77 Phelps we brought. They had been talking down the vintage, but this was still spectacular.
Mondavi always ages well, in my experience, this is the oldest I have had the opportunity to drink. Bordeaux like, mature red fruits, dusted cherry, tobacco, cedar, some herbs. Balanced and elegant.
It's hard to put a number on this wine, a very special experience.
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An evening of older Mondavi Cab Reserves- 1971-1990 (Apiary.): I had three remarkable bottles from an auction lot over the past couple of years and was hoping this bottle, one of two from a separate lot, would show just as well. Unfortunately, that was not the case. This bottle had a pronounced mint character to it, something previous bottles had not shown. The typical red cherry and cedar character is there, but the fruit isn't as vibrant and overall this bottle lacks the depth, freshness and vitality of those other bottles. A real shame as when this bottle is on, it's stunning. B+/B
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All I can say is "wow!" What a stellar showing for this wine. It's been one of my favorite older California Cabs, but this bottle blew away away every bottle I've had in the past. It's color is still a vibrant garnet and upon opening, one is greeted by the sweet smell of cedar and cherries. On the palate the wine has vitality as well as elegance in a way that only a mature wine can show. It gives a hint of being Bordeaux-like with its cedar, tobacco and sweet cherry profile, but it lacks the earth notes and herb qualities, though previous bottles have shown some herb and even graphite. The balance is impeccable and the wine is fully integrated with wonderful harmony and great depth. My friend and I couldn't stop commenting on how good the wine was. It's in a wonderful place right now, though there's no real hurry to drink well-stored bottles. Just superb and a wonderful accompaniment to beef stew. Solid A.
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This example was in fact past its prime. Clearly a good wine with nice cab character and density but this showed acerbic tart acidity on the mid-palate and the finish. Pencil shavings on the finish.
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Comes across like a classic left bank Bordeaux with an aroma of cigar smoke leading into a palate showing restrained red fruited and cassis flavours framed by cedar and tobacco leaf elements. Very polished and finessed, drinking very nicely right now.
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Dinner at Boon Fly with Pam Starr and Jeff. This was a shocker. Totally sublime. This reminded me of 82 Lalande or 90 Pichon Baron. You could drink this wine every day and be very happy. Sandlewood, spice, tobacco, dark red fruits, just a hint of sweetness and smooth, silky tannins. Needs to be drunk in the next 10 years but it's a wine to look for.
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Nose: Stewed fruit, straw, earth, cigar, stem. Palate: Well integrated at this point, , loads of berry, some cedar, strawberry, green pepper, and a bit of cigar. The tannins make me think it'll last even longer.
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Tasting of 9 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserves which was repeated with a different wine group. Red, brown edges, big, rich, French Style nose, medium body, well balanced in mouth with medium finish. My #8 of 9.
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Tasting of 9 Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignons. Had brown edges with a big, rich, French style nose that proved to be disappointing in the mouth and finish. My #8. This was a rainy, difficult vintage for Napa Valley.
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12/19/2023 - noofie2 Likes this wine: 98 Points
Excellent. Drank at dinner at Flemings in Walnut Creek with Dennis and Derrald. In fantastic shape. Cork was a bit dry but came out cleanly with an Ahso. Wine was very flavorful with a perfect nuanced and complex balance of fruit, tannin and acid. Not as powerful as the Dunn C.S. that we also had at dinner, but the Mondavi more than made up for that with its perfect balance and taste. This has always been one of my favorites, and it retained its position with spades.Plum, raspberry, and blueberry fruit. Very mellow. Favorite with all at the table and also the Flemings sommolier. Thank goodness I still have more left.
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5/20/2023 - JRockEsq Likes this wine: 90 Points
Method: 2 hours slow ox + 30 minute decant; Cab glass
Look: medium ruby with light bricking
Nose: stewed strawberry, cedar sawdust, mint
Palate: stewed strawberry, cedar; long finish of cedar, bay leaf, mint, black pepper; dry; medium+ body; medium+ acidity; medium+ grippy smaller tannins
Overall thoughts: Serious wine with nice flavor, but not super complex. A lot of tannin still remain. Almost a touch of heat. Pretty great wine.
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6/4/2022 - englishman's claret wrote: 85 Points
Hard to love, hard and austere in style. Redcurrant with a touch of mineral and loam dominate the stern nose. It just isn’t giving. The palate has a similar red profile and the acidity overpowers the remaining fruit and hard tannin. Followed for several hours with some slight improvement.
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12/24/2020 - jfinbh wrote:
give it 2-3 hours
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12/18/2018 - mattstolz11 Likes this wine: 93 Points
From benchmark wine offer about 2 months ago. Stood up about 1 day prior to opening. Cork in fantastic shape, used the Adouze method no problems at all. Decanted about 30 mins prior to first taste, but could tell even while decanting that we had a winner. Sweet Cabernet fruit permeated the whole room. Surprised by how little sediment this wine had.
Bright clear dark ruby wine. Nose has definitely moved towards tertiary tones but is much more sweet fruit and cedar type note driven. Palate matches driven by fruit and smooth silky resolved tannin. Fantastic bright acidity complements some of the heavy tertiary notes and balances well.
Overall this wine is in a great sweet spot and the acidity makes me think it will still hover there for a few more years. If you’re lucky enough to have some of these around, great time to open one up for the holidays!
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10/14/2018 - Schlutt wrote:
I was very excited when the cork came out in such good condition. The initial aroma from the open bottle told me that this baby had plenty of life left in it, which was confirmed upon the first sip. Silky smooth cabernet with a decent finish. This was a treat enjoyed by all for my wife's 41st birthday dinner.
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12/16/2017 - fillingup wrote: 98 Points
Velvety, cherry cola, BlackBerry, still has fruit, hint of raspberry, vanilla bean, can still go longer if you like old wines, magnificent
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9/26/2017 - KoalaHK wrote:
Tasted at The Fine Wine Experience Mature Robert Mondavi Tasting, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong. Although this still has some sweetness, it is definitely on the downhill slope now. Nevertheless, the elegance remains.
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7/3/2017 - Seo wrote:
Opened two bottles on consecutive days. both had great fill and corks were in good condition. Sadly, both were over the hill and slightly oxidized.
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3/9/2017 - JMFWC Likes this wine: 92 Points
Cork was in awesome condition, surprisingly good. Beautiful garnet and bricking showing its age. Cedar and leathery notes on the nose initially giving way to rasiny notes as it opens up. Lithe palate with minerality and leather and a hint of red fruit and earth. Finish is still tannic with a long lingering flavor that lasts a good 30 seconds. Still has time to go but drinking really pretty now.
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10/14/2016 - Ben F Likes this wine: 92 Points
A beautiful mature Napa cabernet. Eucalyptus and cedar intermix with mature red fruit on the nose, with surprisingly vigorous (given the age) dark fruit complicating a core of mellow cherry on the palate. Tobacco and minty spice notes on the finish. Balanced. Quite nice.
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2/20/2016 - BradKNYC wrote: flawed
Two wines with half of the Wine Advocate crew. (Racines, NYC): I was originally thinking of bringing an old Rioja to share with Luis, but than thought better of it as he certainly drinks his share of them in Spain and opted instead to bring one of my favorite old Cabs. Wouldn't you know it? Corked! NR.
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2/19/2013 - walkerjfw wrote: 94 Points
PNV week, at a very special tasting at Continuum. The family was very nice to share this as a pairing to the 77 Phelps we brought. They had been talking down the vintage, but this was still spectacular.
Mondavi always ages well, in my experience, this is the oldest I have had the opportunity to drink. Bordeaux like, mature red fruits, dusted cherry, tobacco, cedar, some herbs. Balanced and elegant.
It's hard to put a number on this wine, a very special experience.
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5/24/2012 - BradKNYC wrote:
An evening of older Mondavi Cab Reserves- 1971-1990 (Apiary.): I had three remarkable bottles from an auction lot over the past couple of years and was hoping this bottle, one of two from a separate lot, would show just as well. Unfortunately, that was not the case. This bottle had a pronounced mint character to it, something previous bottles had not shown. The typical red cherry and cedar character is there, but the fruit isn't as vibrant and overall this bottle lacks the depth, freshness and vitality of those other bottles. A real shame as when this bottle is on, it's stunning. B+/B
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1/28/2012 - BradKNYC wrote:
All I can say is "wow!" What a stellar showing for this wine. It's been one of my favorite older California Cabs, but this bottle blew away away every bottle I've had in the past. It's color is still a vibrant garnet and upon opening, one is greeted by the sweet smell of cedar and cherries. On the palate the wine has vitality as well as elegance in a way that only a mature wine can show. It gives a hint of being Bordeaux-like with its cedar, tobacco and sweet cherry profile, but it lacks the earth notes and herb qualities, though previous bottles have shown some herb and even graphite. The balance is impeccable and the wine is fully integrated with wonderful harmony and great depth. My friend and I couldn't stop commenting on how good the wine was. It's in a wonderful place right now, though there's no real hurry to drink well-stored bottles. Just superb and a wonderful accompaniment to beef stew. Solid A.
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9/7/2011 - lepetitchateau wrote: 89 Points
This example was in fact past its prime. Clearly a good wine with nice cab character and density but this showed acerbic tart acidity on the mid-palate and the finish. Pencil shavings on the finish.
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12/7/2010 - McBenalds wrote: 93 Points
VERY impressed. This wine had to have been past its prime, but couldn't believe how well it had held up, what kind of structure it had.
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11/10/2010 - salil wrote: 92 Points
Comes across like a classic left bank Bordeaux with an aroma of cigar smoke leading into a palate showing restrained red fruited and cassis flavours framed by cedar and tobacco leaf elements. Very polished and finessed, drinking very nicely right now.
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9/24/2009 - MRichman wrote:
Party Like It's 1999: A 10 year look back at 1999 Bordeaux (Public Restaurant, NYC): Served blind. Mature but without a ton of structure. Some sweet notes, some sap/syrup. A bit of acid. Warm, herbal. Has a lot of life ahead, but drinking well. Very nice, but I didn’t love this as much as many around the table seemed to.
B+
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6/2/2009 - Keith Levenberg wrote: 73 Points
Wines with Duck (Peking Duck House): Very disappointing bottle. Generic and just eh. And too sharp in mouthfeel.
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12/21/2008 - davergny wrote: 90 Points
Mature wine, probably past it's prime but holding up. Ripe strawberries, mushrooms and cedar notes. Good.
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10/4/2008 - G SQUARED wrote: 95 Points
Dinner at Boon Fly with Pam Starr and Jeff. This was a shocker. Totally sublime. This reminded me of 82 Lalande or 90 Pichon Baron. You could drink this wine every day and be very happy. Sandlewood, spice, tobacco, dark red fruits, just a hint of sweetness and smooth, silky tannins. Needs to be drunk in the next 10 years but it's a wine to look for.
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8/22/2008 - clayfu wrote: 93 Points
Nose: Stewed fruit, straw, earth, cigar, stem.
Palate: Well integrated at this point, , loads of berry, some cedar, strawberry, green pepper, and a bit of cigar. The tannins make me think it'll last even longer.
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8/22/2008 - hudamang wrote:
Tasted blind. Guessed new world cab. Older wine with some leather, prunes, shavings, but still a lot of fruit. Holding well. Nice wine
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3/3/2007 - Lwelfley wrote: 90 Points
balanced and still full of flavor. good nose still
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3/1/1992 - La Cave d'Argent wrote: 70 Points
Tasted at winery. Deep amber with brown rim. Mostly vegetal nose. Palate has minimal fruit left. Over the hill.
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11/25/1989 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 85 Points
Tasting of 9 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserves which was repeated with a different wine group.
Red, brown edges, big, rich, French Style nose, medium body, well balanced in mouth with medium finish.
My #8 of 9.
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11/2/1989 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 78 Points
Tasting of 9 Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignons. Had brown edges with a big, rich, French style nose that proved to be disappointing in the mouth and finish. My #8. This was a rainy, difficult vintage for Napa Valley.
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