TN: 1974 Robert Mondavi CS

Opened when a bottle of 1989 Trotanoy was corked.

Lightly watery rim leading to orange and garnet, medium-minus red at the core.

Prominent aroma of smoke. Some aromas of egg shell (sulphur), burnt toast, leather, blood orange, cedar, lightly bruleed caramel walnuts.

Honeyed red fruit (currants) shows on the attack, bolstered by well-integrated but still present tannins. Nice lingering finish with just enough acidity to keep the palate light, without getting to lip-smacking levels.

Not as much complexity or depth as some RMCS Reserves from the 1970s I have tasted, and not quite as wow as versions of this wine I have had some years ago, but still very, very fine.

Thanks for your note, Karl. I wish I could somehow access an article I read in the '80s (I think) regarding the '74 RM Napa Cab and the '74 RM Reserve. The author’s view, IIRC, was that the “regular” cab would age better than the Reserve. I consumed several bottles of each far too early. Jerry Mead? Dan Berger?