10th bottle out of a case purchased on release and cellared. 9 (out of 9) previous bottles have had cork issues with seepage out and under the capsule - some noticeable and some hidden (levels appeared 'ok' except for one bottle that clearly showed ullage). All these wines were flawed in being drinkable but very muted in their profile. Reading through the reviews here I note similar findings with respect to an abundance of cork issues with this wine vintage. This 10th bottle, however, appears to be 'correct'. Fruity and floral scent upon opening. PnP. Garnet color leading into translucent edge with no bricking. Complex nose where secondary and tertiary notes are predominant - floral, leather, spice, pencil, tobacco (cigar leaf), leaves, and earthiness are noted. Palate - red fruit was predominant on palate, with good acidity, and some soft tannins noted. Wine is balanced with medium length finish. Wine as noted, in this and other reviews here, is outstanding when 'correct'. Shame that the cork issues appear so prominent for this wine. Coming back to this wine on day #2 finds the above profile is very much faded.
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Same experience as RWALLACE back in 2016: some of the wine had leaked through the cork and found itself under the capsule. The bottle was still drinkable and we actually finished it as it was a correct wine but well short of what it could have been without the seepage. I am not happy about the auction house that sold me this bottle in what appears to be a defective lot (see also my note on the 1990 vintage).
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Dinner with Wayne at Kevin's. Local Twin Cities beloved Chef Don Saunders killed it for our crew at Kevin's place. 11 of us were treated to a night with Kevin's spry 91yr old dad who delighted everyone! Wayne Loves Cabernet & BDX so we had some potentially monumental reds to compliment a great night while 30 below MN temps whipped at the door. Thanks Kevin! WB,KB,VB,CV,DD,JV,BB,ML,LI,CS & SS. Kavin's btl tonight. Well I've been fortunate to taste this wine 1/2 dozen times over the past 8-9 years and it remains one of my single best CA Cab experiences. From my notes we first realized how great this had become in late 2014. The wine was absolutely singing leaving me gobsmacked! I gave that btl 100pts & immediately sought out what I could find & since drank them. Tonight's btl was another beauty but I felt it was slightly short of the Everest like summit from a few years ago. Nothing to complain about. Just seems to have lost a smidge of its magic. That said, I sure hope another comes across my path. 96-97 Thanks Kevin!
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(Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve) Login and sign up and see review text.
By Stephen Tanzer Vertical Tastings of Mondavi’s Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve and I Block To Kalon Vineyard Fumé Blanc (May 2016), 5/1/2016, (See more on Vinous...)
(Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Napa Valley) Login and sign up and see review text.
(Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve) From magnum - bricking very dark red violet color; tobacco, cassis, tart plum, mushroom nose; meaty, mushroom, tart black fruit, tobacco, cedar palate; medium-plus finish (13.5% alcohol)
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11/26/2023 - Rupert wrote: 94 Points
Sensational, as always. It's not hugely complex, but the balance of sweet ripe blackcurrant fruit and the acidity and grip is just perfect.
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10/9/2023 - Rupert wrote: 93 Points
A return to form, after the last sub-par bottle. This was ripe and blackcurranty, sweet in the middle, cedary - a beauty.
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6/11/2023 - toppcats@aol.com Likes this wine: 95 Points
10th bottle out of a case purchased on release and cellared. 9 (out of 9) previous bottles have had cork issues with seepage out and under the capsule - some noticeable and some hidden (levels appeared 'ok' except for one bottle that clearly showed ullage). All these wines were flawed in being drinkable but very muted in their profile. Reading through the reviews here I note similar findings with respect to an abundance of cork issues with this wine vintage. This 10th bottle, however, appears to be 'correct'. Fruity and floral scent upon opening. PnP. Garnet color leading into translucent edge with no bricking. Complex nose where secondary and tertiary notes are predominant - floral, leather, spice, pencil, tobacco (cigar leaf), leaves, and earthiness are noted. Palate - red fruit was predominant on palate, with good acidity, and some soft tannins noted. Wine is balanced with medium length finish. Wine as noted, in this and other reviews here, is outstanding when 'correct'. Shame that the cork issues appear so prominent for this wine. Coming back to this wine on day #2 finds the above profile is very much faded.
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5/19/2023 - boillatm wrote: flawed
Same experience as RWALLACE back in 2016: some of the wine had leaked through the cork and found itself under the capsule. The bottle was still drinkable and we actually finished it as it was a correct wine but well short of what it could have been without the seepage.
I am not happy about the auction house that sold me this bottle in what appears to be a defective lot (see also my note on the 1990 vintage).
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/22/2022 - chablis28 wrote: 97 Points
Dinner with Wayne at Kevin's. Local Twin Cities beloved Chef Don Saunders killed it for our crew at Kevin's place. 11 of us were treated to a night with Kevin's spry 91yr old dad who delighted everyone! Wayne Loves Cabernet & BDX so we had some potentially monumental reds to compliment a great night while 30 below MN temps whipped at the door. Thanks Kevin! WB,KB,VB,CV,DD,JV,BB,ML,LI,CS & SS. Kavin's btl tonight. Well I've been fortunate to taste this wine 1/2 dozen times over the past 8-9 years and it remains one of my single best CA Cab experiences. From my notes we first realized how great this had become in late 2014. The wine was absolutely singing leaving me gobsmacked! I gave that btl 100pts & immediately sought out what I could find & since drank them. Tonight's btl was another beauty but I felt it was slightly short of the Everest like summit from a few years ago. Nothing to complain about. Just seems to have lost a smidge of its magic. That said, I sure hope another comes across my path. 96-97 Thanks Kevin!
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