1973 Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

“The 1973 Mondavi cabernet is fully mature and drinking very well at age thirty-six, and shows all the signs of still having at least another decade or so of life still ahead of it. The bouquet is deep, complex and slightly bell peppery in the Mondavi house style of this era, as it offers up scents of black cherries, bell pepper, cigar ash, herb tones, chipotle peppers, a bit of Rutherford soil tones and a topnote of tobacco smoke. On the palate the wine is medium-full, round and complex, with a good core of fruit, melting tannins and sneaky length and grip on the poised and intensely flavored finish.” (10/2012)

“A nose of fresh dried cherry, cedar and mint follow through to dried herbs and dark chocolate on the palate. Persistent, fine tannins and balancing acidity. There is a refreshing mix of green and black pepper here that does not show in the surrounding vintages.” (04/2016)