Winemaker Notes
The 2022 Reserve Fumé Blanc is fresh, lively, and juicy, with vibrant acidity and a lingering finish. Sourced from To Kalon Vineyard, where well-drained soils combine with ideal sun exposure to yield rich, complex flavors and flawless fruit maturity.
Professional Ratings
-
Jeb Dunnuck
In contrast to the classic release, the 2022 Fumé Blanc Reserve To Kalon Vineyard is much racier and more mineral-driven. Clean stone fruits, white flowers, chalk, and subtle minty notes all define the aromatics, and it reminds me of a great vintage of Dagueneau’s Silex with its tight, inward, mineral-laced profile. With medium-bodied richness, terrific concentration, integrated yet high acidity, and a great finish, give bottles a few years and enjoy over the following decade.
-
James Suckling
A full-bodied, bracing and energetic wine that's alive with lemon, lime and grapefruit flavors with hints of savory scallions, minerals and nervy green apples. The grapes come from 25-year-old vines in the Monastery block of the To Kalon Vineyard. Worth aging a few years to see more flavor development. Drink now or hold.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Mondavi's 2022 Fume Blanc The Reserve To Kalon Vineyard includes 5% Sémillon and comes from the Monastery Block of the vineyard. It's 91% barrel fermented in 35% new French oak, with the other 9% going into concrete. Fig, pear and pineapple notes are accented on the nose by spicy oak and hints of honey, while the medium to full-bodied palate is round yet finishes clean, crisp, long and mouthwatering.
-
Wine Spectator
Salted melon, succulent nectarine and peach flavors are plump and juicy, with hints of spices. Notes of dried ginger, orange blossoms and candied kumquat show fresh acidity, and there’s a dried mango detail on the finish.
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.