Description

Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon The Reserve To Kalon Vinyard Oakville 2018 ** Wood Box **

94 pts – Wine Spectator

J.M. – Wine Spectator, October 31, 2021

Wine Profile

This is the eighth vintage of our To Kalon Vineyard-designated Reserve. When Robert Mondavi chose this 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.” Each year our blend reflects the Grand Cru quality of this singular vineyard. The Reserve is blended from the finest blocks within the To Kalon Vineyard, and meticulously crafted by keeping each block or sub-block separate through fermentation and aging, until we create the blend the following year.

Tasting Notes

The 2018 To Kalon Vineyard Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon has aromas of blackberry, summer plum, violet, tobacco, licorice, and molasses. On the palate, dark fruits and a trail of lovely herbal notes. It is deep, vivacious, and juicy with a beautiful flow from start to finish.

93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot

Vineyard Notes

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. Our Reserve is blended from the finest blocks within To Kalon.

Production Notes

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 35 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 (20) months of barrel aging.

As ever, this wine expresses the singular elegance and powerful character of To Kalon Vineyard. Our Reserve is blended from the finest blocks within To Kalon. The wine coats the mouth with fine tannins and sings with lively acidity.

Pairs with:
Ribeye with wild mushrooms and vegetable tarts