May 16th, 2008 - Robert Mondavi Day

Today the wine world lost one of it’s most loved and influential members. Robert Mondavi died at the age of 94 in his Napa Valley home. Mondavi launched his own wine label at the age of 52 back in 1966. He aimed to produce high quality wines at a time when the US was just beginning to open up to the idea of fine wine. Into his late eighties and even early nineties, Mondavi spent his days traveling the world promoting American wines. Further, in more recent years, Mondavi was well known for his philanthropy and contributions to American wine education.

I personally owe Robert Mondavi a lot of gratitude as it was a bottle of 1997 Opus One that made me serious about this journey that is wine. To this date, his 1980 Opus One was one of the most memorable bottles I’ve ever enjoyed (tasting note here).

To celebrate the life of Robert Mondavi, Kim and I opened up a bottle of 1990 Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet tonight. There was no special meal prepared, just cheeseburgers from the local burger joint (we still don’t have a kitchen) that we ate on our living room couch. But it doesn’t matter. The goal tonight wasn’t to find a perfect wine pairing, it was to admire and appreciate the craftsmanship and passion of one of the greatest winemakers in the world while celebrating his long, successful, happy life.

So tonight begins my celebration of Robert Mondavi day. I urge anyone and everyone to join me each year to open a bottle of wine on May 16 to commemorate the contributions and life of Robert Mondavi. If you have a bottle of a Mondavi-made wine around, pop the cork and enjoy. If not, any bottle will do - just something that brings you great pleasure and happiness. And don’t forget to enjoy it with your closest friends and family. If you missed tonight, open a bottle this weekend and join me in celebrating the life of one of the men who made fine wine in the US possible.

Cheers to you, Mr. Mondavi, and thank you for all that you have done to pave the way to the great wines that are produced throughout the United States!

1990 Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve: Stood up for 4 hours, no seepage, cork came out in tact, poured from the bottle slowly for sediment. Beautiful deep purple color with subtle bricking. The nose on this wine is quite nice with red pepper really standing out, dark fruits, rhubarb, mushroom, wet soil, subtle tobacco notes and an interesting nuttiness that showed up after an hour or so. On the palate there is a serious red pepper/spice note, plum, cassis, still noticable, slightly sweet tannins and still good acidity. 30 second finish. Great sentimental value in celebraiton of the life of Robert Mondavi, but also an outstanding wine. My rating: 92 pts, drink now (or soon!)