Stand in for Mondavi Reserve

WINE TALK
1

I purchased a 1999 Robert Mondavi Reserve and thought it would be fun to drink it alongside a more recent vintage.

I found a 2016 Robert Mondavi Reserve at Total Wine but it costs $170.

Can you think of a more affordable Cab (perhaps $60–100) that could stand in for the young Mondavi Reserve?

Thank you!

2

There are quite a few more recent Mondavi Reserve vintages on winebid right now in the price range.

3

Thank you David. I’ve never purchased wine on WineBid before. How much should I budget for the fees they charge on top of the bid amount?

EDIT: Ah, I just saw a preview of the fees on the final screen before placing a bid… By the time one adds WineBid’s fees and shipping I’m afraid even an $81 winning bid would add up to $120+.

4

Perhaps an Arrowood?

I thought Robert Young but I think their line might be too big compared to the Mondavi.

Ramey cab or Hyde Vineyard cab.

Hmmm, Grgich or even Heitz?

Ahhh, consider A Rafanelli, but it might be too brambly.

5

Detert is right next door in Oakville and the cab sav was $95.

6

I’d pick up a young Mondavi Oakville Cabernet…usually around $50 and while not as complex, still firmly within the Mondavi Style.

1 Like
7

Thank you everyone for the great suggestions. I’ve been able to find the following three bottles locally:

2014 Heitz

2016 Grgich Hills

Ramey (no vintage listed)

Which of these three do you think would be the best match (couldn’t find a Mondavi Oakville, Detert, Robert Young, Hyde or the others).

8

Since I usually consolidate shipping from winebid I hadn’t thought about the single bottle price for shipping jacking things up.

Mondavi tends to be made in a fairly classic style for Napa. Given that I think of the ones you mentioned I would pick the Heitz. It’s a solid wine and made in a fairly restrained style compared to some of the more fruit bomb like wines.

Another option is the basic Mondavi Napa bottling. It’s not the same as the Reserve but I’ve always thought it was a great value and made in a similar overall style. It also contains some To Kalon fruit like the reserve (but from lesser parts of the vineyard). It should be very widely available.

9

2016 Mondavi To Kalon Vineyard Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is $140 at wine.com and lots of codes in the Deals thread to get it closer to $100 before shipping.

10

Binnys has reserve for 85 this month

11

Ramey Napa Cab is a great choice.

12

You could get the 2015 Mondavi SLD cab for $105++

https://benchmarkwine.com/winery/1543-mondavi-robert?matched_wine_ids=98816

13

Groth Cab runs $50-60. It’s also an Oakville Bordeaux blend that’s more refined IMO.

14

Proximity-wise, i’d find a Heitz Bella Oaks. Price will be your enemy on anything worthy.
Ramey’s profile is not at all Mondavi-like.
Robert Mondavi always seeked balance with a nod to food friendliness.

At the end of the day, you can find Mondavi on special, and the Mondavi Oakville is a good option.

15

Anderson’s Conn Valley Reserve.

Where are you located?

16

As a rule of thumb, I always add +30% to whatever I plan to bid to estimate the total cost of a winning bid on WineBid…That ususally gets me close to the actual cost. That way I don’t even go through the process if it ends-up being too much for me…

17

$81 + 17% ~= $95. Shipping a case is about $32 from WineBid (which is less than $3 per bottle), not sure about 1 bottle, but should definitely be less than $25.

18

https://cellaraiders.com/collections/usa-cab-sav-blends-merlot-for-sale/products/copy-of-m-by-mondavi-cabernet-2010
01 Mondavi Reserve from Cellar Raiders for $115.

19

Thank you everyone!

Thank you Nick F. re: Binny’s. Unfortunately they don’t ship outside Illinois and I’m in Texas.

Thank you John Glas. I happen to have an Anderson’s Conn Valley Reserve, but it’s a 2005.

I also found a 2016 Heitz Cab but not the Bella Oaks variety.

20

Pour that 05! [cheers.gif]