Color shows its age. edges are a burnt umber shade. Nose is of creamy red fruits with a very pretty hi-toned profile that expresses red cassis, camphor and worn leather. Palate shows same and then some; some beautifully balanced spice box, tea leaf and spring flowers. There is a nice elegance and poise to this that only circa-90s Mondavi could pull off. Deft and robust while having a lively mid-palate ready to engage some well prepared grub. I am very surprised at the level of red-black fruits still showing as fresh and vibrant. Tannins are complete and the finish goes long. The most interesting quality on this today is what I can only call red velvet. A perfect example of what classic Napa Cabernet should be.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Had to decant as the cork crumbled upon initial attempt to pop. Careful extraction led to the cork removal ~70% intact. Rich aromas of dark fruits emanate during the decant -- dense scents of deep currants and a hint of strawberries flow from the nose. Per usual when it comes to aged Mondavis, I have the patience of a child and pour the first glass 10 minutes into the decant. The nose evolves into an oddly appealing caramelized soft bourbon … yes, caramelized soft bourbon and I like it. Despite its age and expected simple craftsmanship, the first tastes retain a youthfulness that is very enjoyable. Red cherries splash out on the first taste with a grainy mouth-feel. The finish is lengthy leaving expectations for more to come from this nice bottle. This wine is fun to sample every 5-10 minutes as it is constantly changing in the glass. Now a leafy green nose gives way to a chalky maturity. An undeniably attractive wine suffers only from the absence of a more complex structure found in the Mondavi Reserves and similarly crafted wines. At half the price of the underrated (please keep them that way!) Reserves, this gift from a friend displays the attributes that made Mondavis a signature Napa Cab for decades.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Same methodology: mild bricking at rim this time, cranberries up front initially, yielding to loads of dark and dried fruits (plums and cherries), soft tannins, and a strong finish. Enjoyable. Sadly, my last bottle, but don't sit on this one much longer.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Popped, decanted, and began drinking slowly over the course of about three hours to see how it would change over time. Nose was rather subdued, particularly after the first 20 minutes. No bricking in this bottle. Very dark, opaque--youthful appearance. Much sediment left in bottle after decanting. Initial flavor upon opening was an explosion of ripe cranberries and dried fruits. Within 15 minutes, this evolved to a nice array of mellow, dark fruits. Soft tannins, which appeared to swell during the first hour, faded to the background. Nice balance. Strong finish...about 45 seconds. Very enjoyable. Looking forward to opening my last bottle during the coming months.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Mild bricking at rim. Lively, young nose of cherries, blackberries, black currants and vanilla. Oak is present in the mouth, but there is ample fruit and plenty of soft tannin. Finishes strong, with notes of vanilla and plums. 50+5+11+16+7=89
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
8/19/2015 - jlgnml wrote: flawed
DOA
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/7/2013 - King Cab wrote: 92 Points
Color shows its age. edges are a burnt umber shade. Nose is of creamy red fruits with a very pretty hi-toned profile that expresses red cassis, camphor and worn leather. Palate shows same and then some; some beautifully balanced spice box, tea leaf and spring flowers. There is a nice elegance and poise to this that only circa-90s Mondavi could pull off. Deft and robust while having a lively mid-palate ready to engage some well prepared grub. I am very surprised at the level of red-black fruits still showing as fresh and vibrant. Tannins are complete and the finish goes long. The most interesting quality on this today is what I can only call red velvet. A perfect example of what classic Napa Cabernet should be.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/25/2012 - kevinpatrick wrote: 91 Points
Had to decant as the cork crumbled upon initial attempt to pop. Careful extraction led to the cork removal ~70% intact. Rich aromas of dark fruits emanate during the decant -- dense scents of deep currants and a hint of strawberries flow from the nose. Per usual when it comes to aged Mondavis, I have the patience of a child and pour the first glass 10 minutes into the decant. The nose evolves into an oddly appealing caramelized soft bourbon … yes, caramelized soft bourbon and I like it. Despite its age and expected simple craftsmanship, the first tastes retain a youthfulness that is very enjoyable. Red cherries splash out on the first taste with a grainy mouth-feel. The finish is lengthy leaving expectations for more to come from this nice bottle. This wine is fun to sample every 5-10 minutes as it is constantly changing in the glass. Now a leafy green nose gives way to a chalky maturity. An undeniably attractive wine suffers only from the absence of a more complex structure found in the Mondavi Reserves and similarly crafted wines. At half the price of the underrated (please keep them that way!) Reserves, this gift from a friend displays the attributes that made Mondavis a signature Napa Cab for decades.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/29/2011 - King Cab wrote: flawed
stewed and porty
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/21/2009 - ;p wrote: 89 Points
Same methodology: mild bricking at rim this time, cranberries up front initially, yielding to loads of dark and dried fruits (plums and cherries), soft tannins, and a strong finish. Enjoyable. Sadly, my last bottle, but don't sit on this one much longer.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/23/2009 - ;p wrote: 89 Points
Popped, decanted, and began drinking slowly over the course of about three hours to see how it would change over time. Nose was rather subdued, particularly after the first 20 minutes. No bricking in this bottle. Very dark, opaque--youthful appearance. Much sediment left in bottle after decanting. Initial flavor upon opening was an explosion of ripe cranberries and dried fruits. Within 15 minutes, this evolved to a nice array of mellow, dark fruits. Soft tannins, which appeared to swell during the first hour, faded to the background. Nice balance. Strong finish...about 45 seconds. Very enjoyable. Looking forward to opening my last bottle during the coming months.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/24/2006 - burningstarIV wrote: 89 Points
Mild bricking at rim. Lively, young nose of cherries, blackberries, black currants and vanilla. Oak is present in the mouth, but there is ample fruit and plenty of soft tannin. Finishes strong, with notes of vanilla and plums. 50+5+11+16+7=89
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment