Robert Mondavi Winery is a leading California wine producer established by its namesake in 1966 with a vision to create Napa Valley wines that would stand in the company of the world’s finest. He chose To Kalon Vineyard in the heart of the Napa Valley as the home for the winery. The historic vineyard, located in Oakville, California, is renowned for producing some of the finest Cabernet Sauvignon wines in the world, as well as for its Sauvignon Blanc grapes, from which Mr. Mondavi crafted his signature wine, Fumé Blanc.
Beyond the To Kalon Vineyard, Robert Mondavi Winery sources grapes from some of Napa Valley’s finest vineyards, including Stag’s Leap (Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc) and Carneros (Pinot Noir and Chardonnay).
Robert Mondavi was instrumental in bringing worldwide recognition for the wines of the Napa Valley and promoted the labeling of wines varietally which is now the standard for New World wines. One of his most important collaborations was with Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Chateau Mouton Rothschild, creating Opus One, which has become one of California’s icon Cabernet Sauvignon wines.
For 5 decades, Robert Mondavi Winery has led California’s wine industry, and much of the world, with innovations in winemaking and winegrowing.
The Robert Mondavi brand was acquired by Constellation Brands in 2004 and following its sale, Robert Mondavi partnered with his younger son Tim and daughter Marcia to create Continuum Estate. Robert Mondavi passed away in 2008 at the age of 94.
The grapes for Mondavi’s To Kalon 50th Anniversary Reserve Cabernet 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 34 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-one months of barrel aging. The wine was bottled in August of 2015.
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“The Game Changer” Collector Alert!
Before Robert Mondavi launched his namesake winery in 1966, Napa Valley was a quiet farming community with a few small shops. The valley was not recognized as a world class producer competing with France, Italy, and the other great regions of the world. The marketplace was desperate for a game-changer. Mondavi embraced the role without pause, with an approach that would turn the industry on its head. He implemented cutting-edge technology, forged international partnerships, ramped up marketing initiatives, incorporated the culinary and fine arts, and supported his neighboring growers. Mondavi’s vision put Napa Valley squarely on the map of the world’s elite wine regions and, before his passing eight years ago, cemented Robert as the patriarch of California wine.
Of all the vineyards Mondavi worked with over seven decades in Napa Valley, the To Kalon Vineyard held a special place in his heart. Reflecting on why he chose this jewel in the heart of Oakville when he set out on his own in 1966, Mondavi said, “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.” The 2013 release is only the third To Kalon Vineyard-designated Reserve ever made.
Each year around tax time, the Oakville Winegrowers Association hosts an invitation-only conference showcasing their latest wines for members of the trade. If you’re lucky enough to snag a badge to the Taste of Oakville, prepare to rub elbows with some of the legends of Route 29 and the Silverado Trail: Harlan, Opus One, Screaming Eagle, Far Niente. Five months ago, we were among the privileged few seated in the room — courtesy of our friends at Robert Mondavi.
That afternoon in Oakville, we heard some loose chatter in regards to allocations for the 50th Anniversary Cabernet. Spotting Mondavi’s team, we beelined across the room and promptly requested an allotment. Our contact was tight-lipped, speaking in hushed code (not the first time we felt like Robert Redford whispering to Hal Holbrook in a darkened garage). We pressed. “Sit tight. We’ll call you,” he calmly advised.
Finally, we got the call: $150/bottle. For a Reserve that Parker calls “a beauty and certainly a great reserve and worthy homage to the legendary Robert Mondavi.” For a bottle Galloni calls “an especially refined expression of the famed To-Kalon vineyard.” For a wine Suckling says “harkens back to the great years of the 1970s.” And from Parker’s “Game-Changer” vintage, “the finest vintage (he has) experienced in tasting North Coast varietals over the last 37 years”?!
Shipping included on 2. Only 90 bottles available. A MUST for any Cabernet collector’s cellar. Don’t miss it.