Tasting: Robert Mondavi 2014 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

We could have selected anything for our first tasting  at VinoOutLOUD.  It could have been a cult cab or a first growth Bordeaux that breaks the bank or something from the year our son or daughter were born.  All would have been special.  In the end, we did select something special.  Napa Valley was built on the shoulders of many amazing entrepreneurs and few, if any, contributed more than Robert Mondavi.  He founded his winery in 1966 and this wine is labeled as a 50th Anniversary edition.  I’m not sure how the math works to make a 2014 the 50th anniversary, maybe it is based on release date. Regardless we decided to go with a Napa Legend.  See this link to a fantastic timeline on Robert Mondavi Winery: Robert Mondavi Milestones

Wine: 2014 Robert Mondavi Napa Cabernet Sauvignon
Price: $19.99 from Dierbergs (St. Louis Super Market) – available on wine.com at $22.99   Composition: 86% cabernet sauvignon, 10% merlot, 2% petite verdot. 1% cabernet franc

Sight: youthful red with purple
Nose: Currant, dark fruits, spice
Taste: Very good mouth feel, textured tannins, dark fruits with depth, some dark chocolate
Overall: Very nice wine from a good year, value for money is high on this. Buy and try.

What the pros say:

“90 Points
The late Robert Mondavi’s name is synonymous with Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon so it’s only fitting that his namesake winery continues in that tradition with a new vintage of Cabernet that lives up to the promise of the Mondavi name on the label. The 2014 is an elegant Cab that shows layered black fruits on the palate, notes of sweet wood spice and tobacco, and soft, supple tannins that make the wine enjoyable and satisfying from the moment of release.” Robert Whitley – WineReveiwOnline.com, January 17, 2017

“90 Points”
Antonio Galloni – Vinous, December 15, 2016