1986 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Community Tasting Notes (35) Avg Score: 90.8 points

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View scamhi's profile
  • Report Issue

  8/2/2023 - scamhi wrote: flawed

  this bottle was way off. DNPIM. Do not put in mouth. Thanks Winebid

  1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View Lyonspat13's profile
  • Report Issue

  12/19/2021 - Lyonspat13 Likes this wine: 91 Points

  My experience bears a lot of similarities to the review left below by Noah cap (although maybe my experience / feeling was a bit more rosy).
  
  Bottle seemed in great shape cork came out in tact soaked 2/3 way through, high fill.
  
  Poured a beautiful medium ruby with some light bricking on the edges and still a dark core in the center of the glass.
  
  Nose was wonderful and transformed fairly quickly from a bit funky if closed right off the bat to chocolate, leather, still a little funk (minute 5), to an open boquet of fruit and leather (minute 10) eventually getting more earthy/herbal after an hour.
  
  The palate was very pleasant but as pointed out in the aforementioned previous review a bit thin and not quite matching the sensational nose. That said I still really liked the wine, I got dried/macerated stawberry and some nice acid with an ever so slightly funky (and not so long) finish. The wine drinks very light and is a really refreshing style of cabernet that I’d hazard you don’t find much anywhere anymore let alone Napa. This was probably at its best 5-10 years ago (a guess) and given that these bottles are really a steal at auction I’ll look for some slightly newer vintages (though you all should stay away and not bid them up ☺️). I have a couple more and will post another note if my experience varies on them.

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View NoahCap's profile
  • Report Issue

  11/2/2021 - NoahCap wrote:

  This bottle seemed to be in fantastic condition, and shows all the signs of being extremely well kept. The bottle and label were clean, good fill level, cork soaked through about 2/3 but came out in one piece. The color was shockingly good- translucent ruby, still a touch of purple left at the core, rim with just the slightest hint of bricking at the core. Very promising...
  
  The nose is fantastic, and, as others pointed out, very old school Bordeaux. Exuberantly aromatic, I could smell the wine as soon as the cork was pulled. The nose is all leather, cedar, graphite pencils, humidor full of Cohibas, with the sharpness of tar gone hot and sticky in the sun. There are some fruits lurking in the background that are drying out a bit- dried figs, prunes, mulberries. The nose on this thing is just great.
  
  Unfortunately, the palate just doesn't live up. It has a Bordeaux flavor profile, but is kind of sour and thin. It has clearly aged, tannins mostly gone, and while some wonderful flavors are there, they are blurry and indistinct. The finish evaporates just a few seconds after swallowing. Almost tastes like a beautiful aged Cabernet watered down with some cheap Pinot Grigio. That might be a bit harsh, because the wine isn't bad, but the drinking experience is a let down after such a promising appearance and fantastic nose.
  
  Air doesn't really help. The bottle isn't flawed, seems to be well kept, but I think is simply too old for its own good.

  1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View Sundbyberg's profile
  • Report Issue

  5/21/2021 - Sundbyberg wrote: 92 Points

  Tasting: A very mature cabernet sauvignon ready for drinking, Maybe the fruit has faded a bit. Do not wait any longer.
  Napa or Bordeaux? Who could tell the difference?
  
  My third Mondavi. Previously the 2010 vintage of this wine and the CS reserve 2007.

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View Poisey's profile
  • Report Issue

  2/4/2021 - Poisey wrote: 93 Points

  Not decanted but this opened in the glass. Drank along side 1994 Caymus, 2002 Silver Oak. This was all Bordeaux in nose and profile. Red berry fruit with a tight crisp structure. Not heavy and dense just light and elegant. Long finish with ample acidity. Old wood, earth, cedar, and gooseberry aftertaste. Excellent. Drink now.

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

View all 35 Community Tasting Notes

Professional reviews have copyrights and you can view them here for your personal use only as private content. To view pro reviews you must either subscribe to a pre-integrated publication or manually enter reviews below. Learn more.