November 4, 2023 - Had a small pour as part of a wine dinner. Some bricking on the rim but generally the colour was quite dark for an older vintage. Nose carried more herbal elements than fruit but there was still noticeable dark fruit in the bouquet. The wine tasted of black plum with a hint of berry. Well balanced and delicious.
September 23, 2023 - Robust structure, intense pure fruit. Blackberry and bay leaf. Medium to full weight. Long and some complexity - still quite young. Drinking now and over the next 20 years.
July 14, 2023 - Amazing!
July 6, 2023 - Opened for 30 minutes, no signs of fading. Rich color, somewhat soft nose, floral bouquet. Smooth, well-rounded, less of a fruit profile than what I was hoping, but no surprise given the age. Enjoyed it more as the night went on, but not a complex wine at this stage, and probably a bit past its prime drinking window. Drink up.
July 2, 2023 - Well rounded and soft. Very enjoyable. Probably passed the peak.
June 25, 2023 - Overall, Beautiful aged California Cab. Cork intact/about 15% saturated. Color, on pour, was medium-dark garnet. Fruity aromas from glass noted on initial pour an hour after cork removed. Nose - dark cherry with scent of earth/ damp leaves/forest floor, and touch of cigar tobacco. Silky mouthfeel with good acidity and soft tannins still present. Black cherries and herbs on palate into a medium finish with still present drying tannins. Limited tertiary notes. Drinking well and with some time/life yet to go.
June 7, 2023 - The first sip of the 1996 Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon transports the palate into a realm of technological innovation. The wine coats the mouth with a luxurious texture, reminiscent of the seamless user experience that defines cutting-edge technology. A crescendo of flavors unfolds—an orchestra of blackberries, dark cherries, and currants harmonizing with precision. Like lines of code, nuances of graphite and cedar weave through the symphony, adding layers of complexity that only the finest tech algorithms can replicate. The tannins, like the pillars of technological progress, are refined and well-integrated, supporting the structure with elegance and grace. This vintage is a testament to the seamless integration of tradition and technological mastery.
Inhaling the bouquet of the 1996 Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon is akin to immersing oneself in the boundless possibilities of the digital realm. A symphony of black currants, ripe plums, and cassis unfolds, offering a complexity that mirrors the intricate algorithms driving technological breakthroughs. Notes of crushed violets and dried herbs intertwine, reminiscent of the delicate balance between nature and human ingenuity. This olfactory voyage evokes the excitement of groundbreaking discoveries, akin to the moment a tech visionary unveils a revolutionary creation.
March 31, 2023 - Still lots of life! Soma oak; dark fruit; earthy tones (positive). Cork intact.
January 10, 2023 - Dinner with Herwig (Heirloom Cafe, SF): Black fruited, aromatic; palate is full bodied, still black fruits, integrated but not showing a lot of tertiary character, fades a bit through the midpalate; finish is medium-minus. I think aged but not showing the tertiary character. 89
Over dinner this really integrated well and started showing substantially better. 91, possibly higher, but drink now.
January 9, 2023 - Glorious wine. Fully mature, lots of leather accompanied by fruits of the forest. Still rich and holding great fruit cover. Medium to full weight, with plenty of freshness to balance the fruit. Integrated soft fine tannin. Long and complex finish, multi-layered. Drink now, will decline slowly over many years.