TN: 2007 Mondavi Napa Cabernet

WINE TALK
1

$19.99 at my local Costco, this is the real deal. Starting with 2002 I’ve bought 3-6 bottles and stash them for 5 years when they turn into beauties. I was drinking this alongside the 2003 Double Diamond Schrader Mayacamas Range Cabernet and it blows that wine out of the water. Mostly due to ample acidity. Sure the wine is very lush and fruity right now but I’d be shocked if this doesn’t develop killer tertiary aromas down the line. The aromatics are great even now, a little oak but plenty of Chateauneuf-type spices/herbs/garrigue, black raspberry and smoked meat (syrah in there maybe?). Sweet on the palate but it’s focused and not flabby, absolutely in balance despite the label at 15.5%. Drinking it at cellar temp without food and the tannins aren’t intrusive. (I posted this also in the 07 Cab virtual tasting.)

2

Its now proven: You and I can NEVER drink together again. [tease.gif]

3

Haha! Why?

4

I had the Mondavi last week and hated it. [cheers.gif]

5

Peter, I’m hoping you’re right since the tooth fairy delivered 4 bottles last week.

Of course that would suggest that Pobega has no taste. I’m okay with that! [drinkers.gif]

6

I agree. The '06 is much more complex and elegant. The '07, I felt, was a trainwreck of ‘ooze’.

7

I am a HUGE fan of the Mondavi Napa cabs but for the '07 I’m with Mike and Barry. I’ve had it on 3 separate occassions (the last time was 5 days ago) and didn’t like any of them. Very rich, syrupy and over the top IMO. 2001 through 2006 were some of the best value napa cabs however.

8

Kind of how I’m feeling about way too many 07 Cabs. Syrup-like … makes me scratch my head.

9

Interesting - I can’t stand wines that are flabby or syrupy. There’s so much acidity that this doesn’t get dragged down into the chocolate/espresso/milkshake realm. Maybe there’s a lot of bottle variation, they make a pantload of the juice I’m sure.

10

Sounds right up your alley! [gheyfight.gif]

11

God forbid this wine got 6 months to come together, it couldn’t have been bottled very long ago. Looking at their track record I’d bet it is much better in May 2011.

Then again, I guess they could miss the mark in 07, but don’t really see how.

12

+1

13

Just wait a minute here and think. I am just sick and tired when there are many positive posts on a wine, and I get it and try it, don’t like it, and everyone jumps on me for tasting a wine way too young! How the hell you reconcile that?

14

Did not taste like any wine in barrel I ever had, or bottles I have had that were bottled 5 days ago and FEDEX’d out.
Those are young, right? [tease.gif]

15

+1

16

The 2002 Napa tasted the same way on release, super ripe primary fruit and some barrel spice, not much else. Turned out pretty good for my palate. I’m not getting syrupy, those who used those terms, did your bottles lack acid? That’s what makes this enjoyable even now, keeps everything lifted and fresh tasting, despite the deep layers of fruit. I tasted this right alongside a cab that was plodding and milkshakey from lack of acid.

17

There are bad wines and young wines. Young wines can show poorly but still be great wines with a little time. A later released 2007 is still a baby and I would agree with all the notes posted here.

18

lol, isnt this 90% of cali cab in all vintages?

[smileyvault-ban.gif]

19

Peter - was this at the Waltham CostCo?

20

Yup - $19.99.

Be sure to pick up 02 DP for $124.99 while you’re there.