TN: 1995 Robert Mondavi Winery Fumé Blanc To-Kalon I Block

Feeling a little @Rich_Brown ish…so i’m going to pop open this dude later. The first vintage of I Block I believe…so kind of historic. But the color does NOT look good…and I really don’t have much faith in this one. But ya never know. Fais-le pour la science!


8 Likes

I have had a handful with 10-12 years of age (magnificent) but nothing this old. Hoping for the best for you, will be following.

2 Likes

I think the one Alex opened several years ago was a 96 and it was ethereal. I still dream about that one

2 Likes

Orange wine before it was cool!

1 Like

It’s a frosted bottle that makes it look darker than it is. I wouldn’t put my money on it, but don’t be surprised if it’s amazing.

3 Likes

When did you purchase it?

16yrs in my cellar. From Winebid.

1 Like

I’ve got one 96 left.

2 Likes

That’s the year I started working at Robert Mondavi - those have always been beautiful wines, can’t wait to hear how it tastes!

7 Likes

Ha ha! No way man, you were the one that got me interested in these I Blocks!!

Color looks super promising - cant wait to hear how it shows :cheers:

2 Likes

Probably should be fine if cellared ideally. Not sure how it was stored though prior to you getting it. Hope its killer!!!

2 Likes

Welcome Joyce! You still work there? If so…hook us I Block lovers up! :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:

3 Likes

No, I don’t, now I manage the Oakville Winegrowers Association and work with all the Oakville vintners, dream job!

2 Likes

I think we had that one about 2017. It came directly from the Mondavi Wine cellar.

Corks out! Smells promising??:crossed_fingers:

4 Likes

1995 Robert Mondavi Winery Fumé Blanc To-Kalon I Block - USA, California, Napa Valley (4/22/2026)
Ok…not dead! But far from the amazing 99 I had a couple years ago, which I pretty much knew was going to be the case from the color. WILD color on this one…amber, aged sauternes like. Nose is intriguing, and thank God, not showing oxed apple. Little burnt wood, apricot marmalade, a “good” baked apple, petrol, dried honey. On the palate…there is a NICE streak of freshness…tangerine/pineapple…to brighten up the aged characters in the fruit, of which I get more apricot and papaya…not as tropical as younger vintages, but I still get the exotics of coconut oil and banana wax…really reminds me of and aged savory Sauternes? Not getting as much of that vine struggle crushed rock minerality as before…I guess only 50yr old vines, still vigorous and active! Finish kind of putters out and becomes flat cold tea like. All in all…this is a total success imo! SO happy it wasn’t dead. Always a treat to drink these historical wines, which are becoming almost impossible to find anymore. Dry farmed vines from 1945, 12.5 abv, back label says 10 acres, but I think there are only 3 or 4 acres left? @Roy_Piper And the yield is so miniscule! Imo, the best wine Mondavi makes, and has ever made! (93 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

16 Likes

I have a 96 in the cellar I’ve been wanting to open… Hope it’s held up!

I noted the wine was drinking well “in an aged wine way”…21yrs ago!:grin: Crack open that sucker!