Robert Mondavi 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Magnum 1.5L

Fruit for this Napa Valley Cabernet includes two of the valley’s most renowned sub-appellations: Oakville, located on a well-drained alluvial bench, and Stag’s Leap district, coming from the Wappo Hill Vineyard. The varying mesoclimates and soils of these vineyard sites elicit a wonderfully concentrated, expressive, and classic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and are combined with fruit from a number of the area’s finest vineyards for the perfect expression of the region.


A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc, the grapes were hand harvested into small bins and carefully sorted in their gravity-flow cellar. The clusters were gently de-stemmed directly into traditional oak tanks for cold soak, fermentation and extended maceration-a total of 24 days of wine to skin contact--maximizing the extraction of varietal character and complexity while keeping the tannins fleshy and supple. The new wine was drained and gently pressed into French oak barrels (19% new) for malolactic fermentation, assuring seamless integration of fruit and oak. The final blend was assembled through repeated tasting trials over the 17 months of barrel aging. The wine was bottled in May 2018.


Wine Spectator scored it 90 points saying "The value-priced 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is well worth seeking out and is ideal for readers who feel all the wines in Napa are over-priced. This sexy, rounded effort sports a deep inky color as well as upfront cassis and jammy blackberry fruits, medium body, sweet tannins, and terrific overall balance."


Jeb Dunnuck scored it 91 points saying "A direct, focused style, with a core of steeped cherry and plum preserves flavors, liberally lined with toasted vanilla and licorice notes. Sports a pleasant tug of earth at the end of the juicy finish. Textbook Cabernet."


and James Suckling scored it 93 points saying "Aromas of dark berries, spearmint and mint follow through to a medium to full body, firm and silky tannins and a beautiful finish. Shows tension and beauty. Drink after 2022."