Napa Valley Red
discreet hints of Cuben pepper and sweet spices/clove. The mouth is fruity, elegant and offers juiciness, a good definition as well as gourmandize. In the mouth this wine expresses notes of juicy/fleshy cassis, juicy/fleshy raspberry and small notes of cherry associated with fine touches of blueberry, violet as well as fine hints of cardamom/nutmeg and local forest ground. Tannins are elegant. An imperceptible hint of dry almond on the persistence.
Score : 16.75/20 (93-94/100)
Robert Mondavi - Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, The Reserve, To Kalon Vineyard
Oakville, Napa Valley
The nose is aromatic, elegant and offers a fine richness. It reveals notes of crushed cassis, strawberry and small notes of blackberry associated with fine touches of violet, Sichuan pepper as well as discreet hints of sweet spices, nutmeg and a very discreet hint of mild tobacco. The mouth is fruity, juicy, elegant and offers gourmandize, a good definition as well as an acidulous frame. In the mouth this wine expresses notes of fleshy cassis, fleshy blackberry and small notes of wild strawberry associated with small touches of red berries, violet as well as discreet hints of grey pepper and cardamom/nutmeg. Tannins are elegant.
Score : 16.75/20 (93-94/100)
Robert Mondavi - Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, The Reserve, To Kalon Vineyard
Oakville, Napa Valley
The nose is fresh, fruity and offers a small intensity. It reveals notes of ripe cassis, violet and small notes of blackberry associated with touches of wild raspberry, small wild red berries as well as fine hints of Cuben pepper and vanilla/ mild tobacco. The mouth is fruity, gourmand and offers a fine creaminess. In the mouth this wine expresses notes of fleshy cassis, fleshy blackberry and offers strawberry associated with small touches of violet, cornflower as well as discreet hints of Cuben pepper, fresh nutmeg and mild tobacco. Good length. Tannins are structuring. Good persistence.
Score : 17/20 (94/100)
Robert Mondavi - Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, The Reserve, To Kalon Vineyard
Oakville, Napa Valley
The nose is powerful, fruity and offers a small intensity and a fine grain. It reveals notes wild fresh cassis, wild raspberry and small notes of wild blackberry associated with fine touches of small wild berries as well as fine hints of violet/iris as well as fine hints of Cuben pepper and a very discreet hint of dry tobacco leaf. The mouth is fruity, juicy, well-balanced and offers freshness, a good definition, gourmandize, a beautiful definition as well as suavity. In the mouth this wine expresses notes of fleshy/juicy cassis, ripe black cherry and small notes of fleshy/ juicy raspberry associated with small touches of violet, tobacco leaf as well as discreet hints of cocoa/coffee. Tannins are structuring but a bit dry.
Score : 17/20 (94/100)
Robert Mondavi - HWC 2012 Oakville, Napa Valley
The nose is elegant and offers a small power, a beautiful finesse, intensity as well as a small deepness. It reveals notes of fleshy cassis, fleshy strawberry and small notes of small blue fruits associated with fine touches of tobacco, vanilla and discreet hints of caramelization (in the background). The mouth is fruity, well-balanced and offers a good definition, juiciness, precision as well as gourmandize. In the mouth this wine expresses notes of juicy/ripe cassis, juicy/ripe Boysen berry and small notes of strawberry associated with touches of plum as well as fine hints of cornflower and fine hints of tonka bean. Good length.
Score : 16.5/20 (93/100) Robert Mondavi - Pinot Noir 2015, Reserve Carneros, Napa Valley
The nose is fresh, fruity, racy and offers a small intensity. It reveals notes of fresh/crunchy red cherry, fresh/crunchy raspberry and small notes of fresh/ crunchy blackberry associated with fine touches of violet as well as a subtle hint of cardamom and sweet spices. The mouth is fruity, well-balanced and offers a good definition, suavity, gourmandize as well as a fine tension. In the mouth this wine expresses notes of fleshy cherry, fleshy blackberry and small notes of plum associated with small touches of violet as well as fine hints of liquorice stick, cardamom and a subtle hint of sugared mild tobacco. Tannins are well-built. A fine power on the persistence.
Score : 16.25+/20 (93/100)
Robert Mondavi - To Kalon 2016, Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley
The nose is elegant, fruity and offers complexity, a fine grain and complexity. It reveals notes of wild cassis, wild cassis and small notes of Cuben pepper associated with touches of arbutus, crushed strawberry as well as hints of sweet spices. The mouth is fruity, well-balanced and offers a juicy/mineral frame, a good definition, gourmandize as well as tension (but full of richness). In the mouth this wine expresses notes of cassis, blackberry and small notes of strawberry associated with touches of arbutus and fine hints of dry almond.
A fine chew on the finish.
Score : 17+/20 (94-95/100)
Sequoia Grove - Cabernet Franc 2015, Winemaker Series
Napa Valley
The nose offers a fine power and concentration. It reveals notes of ripe/juicy blackberry, juicy blueberry and small notes of raspberry associated with fine touches of cherry, cornflower as well as very fine hints of rose and nutmeg. The mouth is fruity, well-balanced and offers a juicy frame, tension and a fine structure. In the mouth this wine expresses notes of fleshy/juicy cassis, small juicy blue fruits and small notes of cornflower associated with fine touches of cherry as well as fine hints of tonka bean, chocolate and very discreet hints of caramelization. Tannins are very finely marked.
Score : 15.25+/20 (90-91/100)
Sequoia Grove - Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 Napa Valley
The nose is fruity, elegant and offers a fine power and a very fine intensity. It reveals notes of cherry, black berries and small notes of blackberry associated with small touches of violet, liquorice stick as well as a discreet hint of cocoa, nutmeg and an imperceptible hint of tobacco. The mouth is fruity and offers freshness, minerality and a fine acidulous frame. In the mouth this wine expresses notes of black cherry, juicy/fleshy blackberry and small notes of juicy/fleshy strawberry associated with fine touches of cassis /violet as well as very fine hints of cardamom and cocoa. Tannins are well-buitl. Good length.
Score : 15/20 (89-90/100)
Sequoia Grove - Cabernet Sauvignon Atlas Peak 2015, Stagecoach Vineyard
Napa Valley
The nose is fruity, racy and offers a small power, a fine grain and a fine complexity. It reveals notes of blackberry, cornflower and small notes of small wild blue berries associated with touches of racy minerality, strawberry as well as hints of Cuben pepper and fine hints of chocolate. The mouth is fresh, mineral, racy and offers a mineral/fresh frame and a beautiful grain. In the mouth this wine expresses notes of blackberry, cassis and small notes of wild raspberry associated with touches of small blue fruits as well as touches of tonka bean, flowers (cornflower, violet), chocolate and discreet hints of cardamom. Beautiful persistence on cocoa hints.
Score : 16+/20 (92-93/100)