2000 Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve***

80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec, 1.5% Merlot, 1.5% Petit Verdot. 84% Oakville fruit (52% To Kalon), 7% Stags Leap, 5% Rutherford, 4% Carneros. A long growing season began with early budbreak, which led to long hang time. Average rainfall. Fermented in 16 half-size French oak tanks with 36 days' extended skin contact. Wine was then moved to barrel for malolactic and ageing was in 100% new French oak barrels for 17 months. Lightly fined. Unfiltered. 2000 marks the introduction of Mondavi’s To Kalon fermentation cellar. Softer aromatics and palate. Dense aromatics with a fresh lift of violet. Has settled into more of an earth and herb character with notes of black olive, truffle and garrigue. Savoury with dark chocolate and a dusting of white pepper. A round and approachable palate, integrated spice throughout. Refined, dense tannins and vibrant acidity carry through a long finish. Far more approachable than the 2003. More subtle and nuanced than the 2007. Not as finessed or focused as the exceptional 1999 or the elegant 1998 though still a well-made, nice wine. (ECB)