Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Enthusiast
From the beautiful, historic site planted to some of the oldest vines of the variety in Northern California, this delicious white explodes in juicy green apple and an intensity of fresh-squeezed lemon. That succulence lingers atop a lengthy, salty texture wrapped in subtle, supportive oak. Editors’ Choice
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Mondavi’s Fumé Blanc Reserve was one of the first high-quality Sauvignon Blancs – or as Mondavi called it, Fumé Blanc – in Napa, serving as a pioneering catalyst in the movement with this variety. The 2014 version is a beauty, with the texture of a Chardonnay, luscious honeysuckle, lemon blossom and tangerine oil notes, medium body, beautiful concentration and purity, and a long, dry, authoritative finish. This is a winner to drink over the next 4-5 years.
-
Wine Spectator
Smooth, creamy and succulent, with toast, spice and lemon meringue flavors that have length and intensity. Juicy grapefruit and peach flavors mingle with whiffs of honeysuckle and lanolin on the finish. Drink now.
Capable of a vast array of styles, Sauvignon Blanc is a crisp, refreshing variety that equally reflects both terroir and varietal character. Though it can vary depending on where it is grown, a couple of commonalities always exist—namely, zesty acidity and intense aromatics. This variety is of French provenance. Somm Secret—Along with Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc is a proud parent of Cabernet Sauvignon. That green bell pepper aroma that all three varieties share is no coincidence—it comes from a high concentration of pyrazines (herbaceous aromatic compounds) inherent to each member of the family.
Home to some of the most sought-after Cabernet Sauvignon in America, Napa Valley’s Oakville district stretches across the center of Napa's valley floor and foothills between the Vaca and Mayacamas Mountains. This AVA is home to the legendary To Kalon Vineyard and Martha's Vineyard, as well as many powerhouse wineries including Screaming Eagle, Silver Oak, Robert Mondavi, Opus One, Far Niente and Groth.
The climate is generally warm and agreeable, resulting in year after year of favorable vintages. Summer days see a gentle tug of war between warmer inland air and the cool air coming in from the San Pablo Bay, creating an ideal environment to grow red varieties. Oakville's diverse soils, namely ancient sea bedrock, clay and gravel, are well-drained, and perfect for high-caliber viticulture.
Cabernet here is often bottled varietally but is also popular in Bordeaux Blends. Oakville wines are known for their silky, sensual textures, structured tannins, dark and brooding fruit and lovely aromatics. These age-worthy and prestigious wines are favored by collectors throughout the world.