Mondavi Private Selection

There are few certainties in life and even fewer in the wine industry. There is however one wine certainty that cannot be denied and that is the name Robert Mondavi will not be found on wine that is not worth more than its price whether it be the affordable Robert Mondavi Private Selection at only $11 a bottle or the monumental Robert Mondavi To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve at $145.
The Mondavi vintners work with the uncompromising spirit of Robert Mondavi hanging over them. He was a severe task master and would never permit short cuts in the winemaking nor would he tolerate a wine that did not live up to his extremely strict standards. In short, Robert Mondavi’s spirit goes with each bottle of the wines that bare his name assuring that there will be no disappointments.
Robert Mondavi Private Selection Central Coast 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon ($11). The Robert Mondavi Private Selection Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon is a wine that has been made for immediate drinking. There are none of the harsh tannins (the element that gives many red wines a mouth puckering effect) and the fruit is presented right up front. This wine displays its flavor and aroma in almost obscene quantities and is so big, it is almost overpowering. Plum and blackberry dominate the flavor with black cherry bringing up the rear with the under flavors of mocha, cedar, oak and vanilla lying in the background. This is wine that will beautifully accompany any of the grilled or roasted meats, cheese, and vegetable dishes.
Robert Mondavi Private Selection 2014 Central Coast Sauvignon Blanc ($11). This wine is typical of a California Savignon Blanc, by straying away from the grassy aroma that is often associated with the foreign versions of the variety. The aroma stresses melon and grapefruit, which is a characteristic property of a California Sauvignon Blanc grape. In the flavor department, there is plenty of grapefruit, lemon, and lime to entertain the palate while maintaining a slight fruit sweetness. Enjoy this wine as a stand alone aperitif or as an accompaniment to any seafood, cheese, or vegetarian dish, and it will shine.
Robert Mondavi Private Selection Central Coast 2014 Pinot Grigio ($11). There can be no question that Pinot Grigio is one of the most popular items to come out of Italy since pizza. One taste of this wine and you will know why Pinot Grigio is among the most popular white wines in this country. This excellent wine displays a crystal clear, pale straw color and an aroma that is reminiscent of summer wild flowers and fresh Bosc pears. On the palate, the wine is almost totally dry, but the fruit flavors give the impression of sweetness. The Robert Mondavi Private Selection Pinot Grigio also displays a moderately long and flavorful finish. This is an exceptional wine that can accompany a wide variety of foods, but it is a standout with sea food dishes. While this Pinot Grigio is a very Italian in style, please do not relegate it specifically to Italian style foods. It is a wine that can perform anywhere a white wine is called for and is excellent as an aperitif.
Robert Mondavi Private Selection Central Coast 2014 Chardonnay ($11). If you have ever looked for an affordable Chardonnay that can rival wines selling at many times the price, this one is it. This Chardonnay is not a bold or overpowering wine but rather, a comfortable wine that combines all of the elements one seeks in a better Chardonnay into a mellow, soft, flavorful, and easy to drink beverage. The aroma is heavy with the scents of pears, apples, and vanilla with a hint of roasted nuts in the background. The flavor is bright, fruity, and crisp accenting green apples and pears. The finish too is soft and a host of summer fruit flavors. From beginning to end this is a grand wine and a giant step away from the boring chards presently cluttering the marketplace.