Robert Mondavi ‘Private Selection’ and Napa Valley Wines and Ravenswood Zinfandels

27-Jan-2017

As wineries grow in repute and size, increased investment is necessary, leading to taking on more partners, or take over by larger companies. For many loyal followers of the initial set-ups, they see a loss of personality or control, and often a drop in quality of the wines. However, the scenario of better quality is often the case, as greater funding allows positive growth. The astute new owner tries to retain the character, style and quality of the wines, as well as the essential and usually founding personnel, and will ensure that there is continued progress.

The Robert Mondavi Winery was established in 1996 in Oakville in the Napa Valley. Through the enviable energy and enthusiasm of Robert Mondavi, his winery came to represent the essence of the Napa Valley with its best wines of Chardonnay, Fume Blanc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon footing it with the best wines in the world. Such was the quality that Baron Philippe de Rothschild of Chateau Mouton-Rothschild formed a joint venture with Mondavi to create ‘Opus One’. Following considerable growth and family ownership issues, Constellation Brands acquired Robert Mondavi in 2004. The winemaker is Genevieve Janssens, first working at Robert Mondavi in 1978, retaining her Director of Winemaking role there since 1997. Robert Mondavi Winery celebrated its 50^th anniversary last year. www.robertmondaviwinery.com

Joel Petersen and Reed Foster established the Sonoma Zinfandel variety specialist Ravenswood Winery in 1976. Their credo of ‘No Wimpy Wines’ and the quality of the wines quickly led to an enormously strong following. Although the Zinfandel ‘Single Vineyard Designates’ are the most sought-after wines, Ravenswood makes a surprisingly large range of white and red wines. Constellation Brands purchased Ravenswood in 2001 when the production had grown to over 400,000 cases. Joel Petersen remains as the general manager, and the wines still retain a very strong and loyal clientele worldwide due to their style and quality. www.ravenswoodwinery.com

Here, I review a selection of Robert Mondavi wines under the ‘Private Selection’ and ‘Napa Valley’ tiers, and two Ravenswood Zinfandels. All of the wines are distributed and available in New Zealand through Constellation Brands.

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

Robert Mondavi ‘Private Selection’ California Chardonnay 2015
Chardonnay from USA
Review Date : 26-Jan-2017
☆☆☆☆☆
Bright, light golden-yellow colour with some depth, paler on the rim. The nose is softly full with gentle aromas of ripe citrus fruit unfolding fresh stonefruit elements. The fruit is entwined with notes of nutty oak and lees, with suggestions of musk, butter and lemon-curd MLF. Medium-full bodied, the palate has light, refreshing flavours of citrus and yellow stonefruits along with nutty oak and hints of musk and buttery MLF elements. The flavours build to form a moderately concentrated core and the wine flows along a dry, textural line with good underlying acidity. The wine carries to a crisp, sustained finish of citrus fruits and nuts. This is a fresh Chardonnay with citrus, stonefruit and nutty flavours, and a dry, textured mouthfeel and line. Serve with seafood and poultry over the next 3 years. California fruit, 95% Chardonnay, 3% Muscat Canelli and 2% Riesling, WBP and tank-fermented to 13.5% alc., 70% of the wine aged 8 months in French oak with MLF. 16.5/20 Jan 2017 RRP $19.99
Robert Mondavi ‘Private Selection’ California Pinot Noir 2015
Pinot Noir from USA
Review Date : 26-Jan-2017
☆☆☆☆☆
Dark ruby-red colour, a little lighter on the edge. This has an up-front, softly full and broad nose of ripe dark plums, mulberries and blackberries, along with subtle notes of dark herbs and some plum jam nuances. Medium-full bodied, the palate possesses soft, easy and up-front flavours of sweet plums, blackberries and mulberries, and nuances of jam. The flavours are gently mouthfilling and underlined by light, grainy tannin extraction providing dry textures. The acidity is softly integrated, and the flavours recede as the wine carries to a light, dry, plummy finish. This is a soft and up-front, sweet plum and mulberry-fruited Pinot Noir with light, drying tannins. Match with antipasto, pasta and pizza over the next 2-3 years. Fruit from the Central Coast and Lodi districts, a blend of Pinot Noir with Syrah and Petite Sirah, destemmed and indigenous yeast fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine aged 10 months in French oak. 16.0+/20 Jan 2017 RRP $24.99
Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Chardonnay 2013
Chardonnay from USA
Review Date : 26-Jan-2017
☆☆☆☆☆
Bright straw-yellow colour with pale lemon-gold hues, lighter on the rm. The bouquet is fresh and tightly bound with penetrating aromas of citrus and yellow stonefruits entwined with delicate creamy barrel-ferment elements and nutty oak providing interest and detail. Some steely mineral and lees notes emerge with aeration. Medium-full bodied, the palate exhibits tightly bound and slender flavours of citrus and stonefruits, melded with subtle creamy barrel-ferment and nutty oak layers. The mouthfeel is steely with crisp acidity providing plenty of energy and tension, and the wine flows along a fine-textured line with some alcoholic drive. The wine carries to a long, dry, lingering finish with fruit, oak and lees elements. This is a fresh, tightly bound Chardonnay with steely citrus fruit and nutty oak, brisk acidity and some alcoholic drive. Serve with seafood, poultry and pork over the next 4-5 years. Chardonnay fruit predominantly from the Carneros, Stag’s Leap and Oak Knoll districts, 70% fermented in 12% new French oak, the remainder in tank to 14.5% alc., the barrel portion aged 9 months with batonnage, the wine undergoing partial MLF. 64,188 cases made. 17.5/20 Jan 2017 RRP $24.99
Robert Mondavi Carneros Napa Valley Pinot Noir 2012
Pinot Noir from USA
Review Date : 26-Jan-2017
☆☆☆☆☆
Even ruby-red colour with slight garnet hues, pale on the edge with some bricking. The bouquet is full and softly voluminous with moderately intense aromas of savoury strawberry fruit and subtle notes of black cherries and dark herbs at the core, revealing nuances of florals, spices and ok. Medium-full bodied, the palate has light and rounded flavours of strawberry fruit with soft red berry and cherry elements. The fruit is layered with herbal elements and nutty oak hints. The mouthfeel is soft-textured with rounded and accessible tannins, and mellow acidity. Some alcohol warmth and drive is present, and the wine carries to a light, dry finish of soft red fruits. This is a soft-fruited Pinot Noir with strawberry, cherry, herb and nutty flavours on a rounded palate with some alcohol power. Match with poultry and pork over the next 3-4 years. Fruit from the Carneros district, hand-picked, predominantly destemmed and fermented with a portion of whole bunches to 14.5% alc., the wine spending 21 days on skins and 5 months in 26% new French oak barrels. 17.0+/20 Jan 2017 RRP $34.99
Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Cabernet Sauvignon from USA
Review Date : 27-Jan-2017
☆☆☆☆☆
Very dark, deep, near impenetrable black-red colour, a little lighter on the rim. The bouquet is elegantly presented with firm and intense aromas of fresh blackcurrant fruit with subtle notes of blackberries and cassis, along with mint, fresh herbs and black minerals. Full-bodied, the palate is concentrated with a firm core of ripe blackcurrants and cassis liqueur, entwined with blackberries and subtle notes of mint herb and minerals. The fruit is rich and sweet, and is balanced by fine-grained tannin extraction and structure, with fine, underlying acidity enhancing the linearity. Some alcohol power is present and drives the wine to a long and sustained, concentrated finish of blackcurrants and cassis. This is a firmly concentrated Cabernet Sauvignon with sweetly ripe blackcurrant and cassis fruit on a fine-structured, powerful and linear palate. Match with roast lamb over the next 7-9 years. A blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley fruit, 26% from the ‘To Kalon’ and 10% from the ‘Wappo Hill’ vineyards, hand-picked and fermented to 15.0% alc., the wine aged 17 months in 17% new French oak. 18.5/20 Jan 2017 RRP $34.99
Ravenswood ‘Vintner’s Blend’ California Old Vine Zinfandel 2013
Zinfandel from USA
Review Date : 26-Jan-2017
☆☆☆☆☆
Even ruby-red colour with garnet hues, paler edged with some bricking. This has a soft, easy and accessible nose with aromas of raspberries, blueberries and boysenberries, entwined with nuances of liquorice, spices and blackberry jam. Medium-bodied, the palate is plush and juicy with up-front, sweet flavours of raspberries and boysenberries along with blue fruit elements, unfolding spice and jam hints. The fruit sweetness is gently mouthfilling and is supported by light, supple tannin grip and soft, ripe acidity. As the wine flows, the flavours recede, leading to a dark-fruited finish with strawberry compote notes. This is an up-front, accessible, sweet-fruited Zinfandel with raspberry, boysenberry and blue fruit flavours and a supple mouthfeel. Match with barbecued fare over the next 3+ years. California fruit, a blend of 80% Zinfandel, 17% Petite Sirah and 3% ‘Mixed Blacks’, indigenous yeast fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine spending 7-10 days on skins during ferment, the wine aged 10 months in 20% new French oak. 16.5+/20 Jan 2017 RRP $19.99
Ravenswood Sonoma County Old Vine Zinfandel 2013
Zinfandel from USA
Review Date : 26-Jan-2017
☆☆☆☆☆
Dark, deep ruby-red colour with light purple hues, a little pale on the edge. The nose is elegant and evenly proportioned with good depth of ripe blackberry, boysenberry and blueberry fruit aromas melded with dried herbs, liquorice, spices and nutty oak. Full-bodied, the palate features rich and concentrated flavours of ripe blackberries and boysenberries, along with nuances of blue fruits, liquorice and spicy oak, that form a rounded core with plenty of palate weight and presence. The sweet fruit is supported and balanced by fine, grainy tannin extraction, and the wine has energy and vigour, carrying to an elegant, lingering finish of black fruits, liquorice and spicy oak. This is a rich, concentrated Zinfandel with sweetly ripe black fruits, liquorice and spicy oak on a fine-grained palate. Match with grilled and roasted game meat dishes over the next 5-6 years. A blend of 83% Zinfandel, 11% Petit Sirah and 6% ‘Mixed Blacks’, 73% from Dry Creek, 25% Sonoma Valley and 2% Alexander Valley, from vines 50-100 y.o., indigenous yeast fermented to 14.5% alc., the wine spending 5-8 days on skins during ferment, and aged 18 months in 30% new French oak. 18.0+/20 Jan 2017 RRP $23.99

Robert Mondavi ‘Private Selection’ and Napa Valley Wines and Ravenswood Zinfandels

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

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