Wasn’t this Mondavi’s first Cabernet release?
Yep, the 1966 was his very first wine after leaving Charles Krug.
Didn’t the reserve say “Reserve” in red letters in the upper left? I know the OP didn’t call it the Reserve, but the caption in the photo does.
Reserve didn’t start until the '71 vintage.
Nice note Wes. There is an interesting tidbit in one of the books on early Napa about the '66 at Mondavi, as they had still not completed the winery buildings in time for the harvest and the wine was made under the stars, as the roof was not yet finished. Ric Forman was the intern here at this time and had a lot to do with the winemaking of the '66, as he had more training at this point than Robert or his sons. Have tasted lots of older Mondavi cabernets, but never the '66 and hope to cross paths with it one day.
I was all jazzed-up to click on the link, and then, bam, I read the opening pot-shot: “Amazing testament to pre-parkerized Napa.” Still, getting a glimpse of that history was great!
Gilman, thanks for coloring in those tidbits. My, that was cool to hear(err, see).
Best,
Kenney