Winemaker Notes
Aromatics of cocoa nibs, turmeric, suede, and broken, mixed berries perfume the wine, while notes of fresh, red currant along with blackberry nuances culminate for a bright acidity on the palate followed by a rounded texture and nicely structured yet plush tannins. Blend: 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Blueberry and floral aromas dominate here. Medium to full body, integrated tannins and a fresh finish. This is tight and reserved and needs two or three years to open. Drink in 2019.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The Animo is a second label, a cross section from the ranch. Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Animo opens with expressive blackberry pie and blueberry compote notes with hints of red currant jelly, cinnamon stick, rose hip tea, dried lavender and cigar box. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has fantastic tension and a solid frame of ripe, grainy tannins supporting the vibrant black and red fruits, finishing long and perfumed.
Rating: 93+ -
Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: While my familiarity with the Animo by Michael Mondavi brand is just starting, my palate indeed fell for the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon. TASTING NOTES: This wine delivers the goods. Its lush aromas and flavors of beautiful black fruits and toasty oak stay bright and persistent on the palate. Pair it with steak kababs and enjoy the match. (Tasted: September 9, 2019, San Francisco, CA)
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Wine Enthusiast
This offers classic flavors of crisp, red currant and cassis, with background notes of dried herb and floral rose. The tannins are sturdy and supportive of the fruit. Toasted oak components are emphasized on the lengthy peppery finish.
A noble variety bestowed with both power and concentration, Cabernet Sauvignon enjoys success all over the globe, its best examples showing potential to age beautifully for decades. Cabernet Sauvignon flourishes in Bordeaux's Medoc where it is often blended with Merlot and smaller amounts of some combination of Cabernet Franc, Malbecand Petit Verdot. In the Napa Valley, ‘Cab’ is responsible for some of the world’s most prestigious, age-worthy and sought-after “cult” wines. Somm Secret—DNA profiling in 1997 revealed that Cabernet Sauvignon was born from a spontaneous crossing of Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc in 17th century southwest France.
Just northeast of Napa city, Atlas Peak boasts some of Napa Valley’s highest elevation vineyards. Here the intense sunlight coupled with cool, nighttime temperatures produce grapes that are perfectly ripe, balanced and concentrated. The appellation is rich in volcanic soils and excels in the production of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.