Animo by Michael Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
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Robert
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James
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Wilfred
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Somm Note
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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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+ -
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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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.
Other Vintages
2019-
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James
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James
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Robert
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James
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Robert
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Suckling -
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Connoisseurs'
Guide -
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Seeking vineyards that would form the foundation of his family estate, Michael Mondavi zeroed-in on a particularly rugged, Manzanita-dotted parcel high on Atlas Peak in the Vaca Mountain range of southeastern Napa Valley. As Michael surveyed the site with his family, his daughter Dina remarked, "Dad, this place has animo."
Animo is an Italian word for heart or spirit. In the family’s experience, some vineyards have it, and some don’t - a pervading spirit that presents the opportunity of producing something that is truly exceptional. An experienced vintner recognizes the dormant energy of such a site before it has even been planted, its potential evident in the raw material, from the soil to the curvature of the land and sun exposures.
Michael Mondavi sensed the potential of Animo at first sight, and the continually developing wines that are produced here have spirit to spare. The Animo Vineyard is planted to a mere 15 acres of Cabernet Sauvignon vines in soil composed of a relatively uniform rocky volcanic tufa infused with red streaks of iron. The vines climb from an elevation of 1,200 to 1,350 feet on the slope of Atlas Peak, overlooking Napa Valley. At this elevation, the grapes enjoy a protracted growing season, and harvest generally extends well into October. Variations in elevation and sun exposure require numerous picking passes at harvest time. The attention paid to each individual vine is reflected in the quality of the finished wine.
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.