TN: 4 Mondavi Reserve Cabernets - 1991 through 1994

WINE TALK
#1

All were served blind as part of a tasting on Tuesday night.

1991 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve - USA, California, Napa Valley (3/8/2016)
Evolved, almost fully mature Cabernet nose that combines black fruit and cedary and earthy elements. It’s just a touch short on the finish, which is surprising given the lovely aromatics and good mid-palate depth.

1992 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve - USA, California, Napa Valley (3/8/2016)
A step up from the 1991 (served blind in the same flight) in overall body and depth through the palate. It’s again generally mature, though there is even more fruit here than in the 1991. Stands out more as Napa, but not in any overdone way. Beautiful aromatics, fine balance. Delicious. My second favorite of the 4 Reserves (1991-1994) poured during the evening.

1993 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve - USA, California, Napa Valley (3/8/2016)
Gorgeous, knock-out nose. Cedar, red fruit, graphite, earth, herbs - it had it all. Everything carried forward to the palate. This was in a perfect spot. Delicious and balanced right through the long finish. It was a bit of a shock when the bags came off and of the 1991-1994 the '93 was my clear favorite of the group. Drinking great now!

1994 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve - USA, California, Napa Valley (3/8/2016)
Given the reputation of the vintage I was surprised this was not in my top 2 at least of the 4 Reserves poured side by side (1991-1994), but blind tasting wins! The aromatics were beautiful and quite fruit forward compared to the other 3 vintages, even the '92 which had shown quite a bit of fruit. Where this fell down was on the palate where it was a bit flat due to very low acidity. It needed more life. Overall still very good/excellent, but I preferred the balance on the '93 and '92 more than this.

Posted from CellarTracker

#2

Cabernets of 1993 has been showing very well.

#3

Agreed. I like '93 very much. It’s a drinkers vintage.

#4

A recent '93 Togni was spectacular, and I have a '93 Heitz Martha’s waiting in the wings. I agree with the positive comments on the vintage.

#5

Sadly, the 1991 Mondavi Reserve Cab. I opened during the holidays was badly corked. Glad yours showed better.

Bruce

#6

1993 was considered a “good but not great” vintage for Napa, but I find they are hanging in there better than 91 or 92. I think the 91s peaked almost a decade ago.

I had a 93 Shafer Hillside last year that was awesome.

#7

I’ve drunk a fair amount of the '93 Montelena Estate cab - and would say it’s nowhere close to 91, 92 or 94. I think the gem among those is the '92

#8

Thanks for that great note!

I like the Mondavis of that era.

#9

any have a 93 dalla valle recently, considering opening my last bottle

#10

Always liked the 93 bv gdl. But it’s been some time. The 93 freemark abbey bosche I had within the last couple of years was rockin’. Blew away the 92.

#11

we had a 93 bv tapestry a few weeks ago … better than one would have expected. nice pleasant surprise for something which was either panned/ignored by critics upon release.

#12

The first Togni I had, became a serious fan of the brand, and apart from 1997, is my favorite vintage.