Robert Mondavi Winery

Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

9.2856 ratings
9.2243 pro ratings
Napa Valley, California, USA
Cabernet Sauvignon
Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Pasta, Venison, Tomato-Based, Potato, Pork, Chocolate & Caramel, White Rice, Mushrooms, Beef, Lamb, Chili & Hot Spicy
Top Notes For
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Hints of Maple Syrup in the nose.

This is still very fresh. Ripe, juicy; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, dark cherries, black plum pudding, strawberries, notes of blue fruits, dark spice, black licorice, mid berry cola, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, anise, cedar to sandalwood, dry herbs, mint/eucalyptus, used leather, dry, crushed, rock powder, notes of maple syrup, caramel, dark, red withering rose petals with violets, waterfall acidity and an elegant, balanced, softly tensioned, well knitted, smartly polished finish that lasts minutes.

Color is still dark. Cork came out whole with a Durand but was completely soaked.

What a treat to drink well stored old Napa Cabernet. Will hold another 3-5 years.

Bottle semi-recently acquired from the property via a Somm buddy.

Hints of Maple Syrup in the nose.

This is still very fresh. Ripe, juicy; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, dark cherries, black plum pudding, strawberries, notes of blue fruits, dark spice, black licorice, mid berry cola, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanillin, anise, cedar to sandalwood, dry herbs, mint/eucalyptus, used leather, dry, crushed, rock powder, notes of maple syrup, caramel, dark, red withering rose petals with violets, waterfall acidity and an elegant, balanced, softly tensioned, well knitted, smartly polished finish that lasts minutes.

Color is still dark. Cork came out whole with a Durand but was completely soaked.

What a treat to drink well stored old Napa Cabernet. Will hold another 3-5 years.

Bottle semi-recently acquired from the property via a Somm buddy.

May 27th, 2024
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Happy 50th birthday! I always ask what were you doing when you drink a wine this old.

I am told by my Somm buddy who brought this bottle, this is To Kalon fruit even though it is not listed on the label. Excellent fill line. 12% ABV. šŸ‘šŸ‘šŸ‘

Color is brickish on the edges but the color inside is still beautiful & solid.

This is a wine not to decant or a short one and pour it out w/ 6 people. It does get better in the glass.

The fruit is old but still ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, baked strawberries, stewed plum/cranberries, baked rhubarb, almost watermelon notes, mid berry cola, steeped tea, dry crushed rocks, dry twig, dry tobacco, sandalwood to some cedar, light dark spice notes, dry herbaceous notes, pine bar, some tarriness, anise, dark forest, dry leaves, some v/a-bandaid, dry river stone, decade red, dark, florals, excellent acidity, great evolution, balance, still has tension, with elegance & smart polish that lasts a minute.

Bottle acquired recently from the winery.

Happy 50th birthday! I always ask what were you doing when you drink a wine this old.

I am told by my Somm buddy who brought this bottle, this is To Kalon fruit even though it is not listed on the label. Excellent fill line. 12% ABV. šŸ‘šŸ‘šŸ‘

Color is brickish on the edges but the color inside is still beautiful & solid.

This is a wine not to decant or a short one and pour it out w/ 6 people. It does get better in the glass.

The fruit is old but still ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, baked strawberries, stewed plum/cranberries, baked rhubarb, almost watermelon notes, mid berry cola, steeped tea, dry crushed rocks, dry twig, dry tobacco, sandalwood to some cedar, light dark spice notes, dry herbaceous notes, pine bar, some tarriness, anise, dark forest, dry leaves, some v/a-bandaid, dry river stone, decade red, dark, florals, excellent acidity, great evolution, balance, still has tension, with elegance & smart polish that lasts a minute.

Bottle acquired recently from the winery.

May 27th, 2024
Conrad Green

Polished and complete. Good fruit. Rich still with good acidity. Correct rather than wow

Polished and complete. Good fruit. Rich still with good acidity. Correct rather than wow

Mar 6th, 2024
Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.2

06 in an awesome spot. Always love Mondavi reserve.

06 in an awesome spot. Always love Mondavi reserve.

Aug 11th, 2023
Severn Goodwin

Capitol Region Wine Collectors Club (WCC), CA Cabernet Pre-2000; 20 April 2023 at Fort Orange Club, Albany, NY

Capitol Region Wine Collectors Club (WCC), CA Cabernet Pre-2000; 20 April 2023 at Fort Orange Club, Albany, NY

Apr 21st, 2023
Severn Goodwin

Capitol Region Wine Collectors Club (WCC), CA Cabernet Pre-2000; 20 April 2023 at Fort Orange Club, Albany, NY

Capitol Region Wine Collectors Club (WCC), CA Cabernet Pre-2000; 20 April 2023 at Fort Orange Club, Albany, NY

Apr 21st, 2023
Rob Brobst III

Still hitting its stride!

Still hitting its stride!

Jan 16th, 2023
Timothy Eustis

Wine Director, Red Lion Inn

7.0

Perhaps not stored well. Bet it was lovely once.

Perhaps not stored well. Bet it was lovely once.

May 19th, 2020
jesus g

Hospitality Schramsberg Vineyards

10

Wanted to raise a glass to Kobe. 1978 was his birth year and the final year that had all the premier fruit! The following year all that amazing juice went to the first bottling of Opus One. This was very emotionally impactful for us. Amazing wine!

Wanted to raise a glass to Kobe. 1978 was his birth year and the final year that had all the premier fruit! The following year all that amazing juice went to the first bottling of Opus One. This was very emotionally impactful for us. Amazing wine!

Feb 4th, 2020