Robert Mondavi 2015 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, To Kalon Vyd., Oakville, Napa Valley

This is the fifth vintage of To Kalon Vineyard-designated Reserve. When Robert Mondavi chose the To Kalon Vineyard in west Oakville as the home for his new winery in 1966 he remarked that, “It was a vineyard with a distinguished history and a magical nature. Ideal soils, sunlight, and rain—to my eye, the vineyard was a treasure.” Those sentiments were re-confirmed when the To Kalon Vineyard was named the Vineyard of the Year by the California State Farm Bureau in 2011. This Reserve is blended from the finest blocks within To Kalon.

The grapes were hand-harvested with three stages of strict sorting: first, on the vine, then by individual clusters, and then again by single berry following de-stemming. The selected grapes went directly into traditional French oak tanks for cold soak, fermentation and extended maceration – a total of 37 days of wine to skin contact– maximizing the extraction of varietal character and complexity while keeping the tannins round and supple. The new wine was drained and gently pressed into 100% new French-oak barrels for malolactic fermentation, assuring seamless integration of fruit and oak. The final blend was assembled through repeated tasting trials over twenty months of barrel aging. The wine was bottled in August of 2017.

The Wine Advocate scored this 96+ saying "Composed of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon To Kalon Reserve features a deep garnet-purple color and wonderfully expressive nose of creme de cassis, preserved plums and black forest cake with hints of cigar boxes, aniseed, dark chocolate and forest floor. Full-bodied, rich and concentrated in the mouth, the ripe, opulent black fruit is well supported by velvety tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and spicy."

Antonio Galloni also scored it 96+ and said "Mondavi's Cabernet Sauvignon The Reserve To Kalon Vineyard is fabulous. Rich, powerful and voluptuous, the 2015 oozes with class from the very first taste. The flavors are deep, dark and boldly sketched in this sumptuous, beautifully resonant Cabernet. The tannins will need time to soften, but I can't imagine readers opening bottles anytime soon. The 2015 Reserve is one of the very finest wines I have tasted from Robert Mondavi Winery."

Tasting Panel Magazine scored this 98 points saying "The fifth vintage of this iconic vineyard-designate reserve comes in at 14.5% ABV and comprises 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cab Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot. Although I’m inspired to write a sonnet after tasting it, I attempted to translate my notes into these succinct descriptives: Toffee-cedar and plum preserves accent the nose with an undertone of leather and coffee as the satiny entry leads to a dustier mid-palate. Tannins wrap the tongue with fleshy dark chocolate and dense blueberry oak."