Robert Mondavi Private Selection Merlot
August 6, 2008
Winery: Robert Mondavi
Wine: Private Selection Merlot 2006
Location: Napa, CA
Purchased: Sonoda Sushi Seafood
Price: $25.00 ($12.99 wine.com)
“Wine to me is passion. It is family and friends warmth of heart and generosity of spirit.”
~Robert Mondavi
In 1966, Robert G. Mondavi founded his world renowned Robert Mondavi winery in the heart of Napa Valley. His California wines rival the world’s best. The Mondavi winery was the first major winery build in Napa in the post-Prohibition era. In 1968, Mondavi made a dry oak-aged Sauvignon Blanc, an unpopular variety in California at the time, and labeled it Fume Blanc. The wine was hugely successful and in time Fume Blanc became synopsis with Sauvignon Blanc.
Mondavi spent considerable time in Europe studying the great wine regions and learning how the world’s best wines are made. This relentless quest for knowledge and understanding the wine making process led him to become a nationally and internationally leader in the wine industry. He introduced the cold fermentation process in stainless steel tanks and used French oak barrels in the late 1960’s. Mondavi collaborated with NASA using aerial imaging to understand the health and vigor of the vines in the 1990’s.
The Private Selection Merlot derives its exceptional character primarily from choice grapes of Monterrey County. This region provides a temperate climate, cool breezes and moist soils; all essential favorites for Merlot grapes. This wine is aged in French oak barrels and brings soft oak nuances to the nose. The Private Selection Merlot displays classic Merlot attributes of bright ripe black cherries, plum and slight hints of spice and mocha.
This wine is extremely drinkable; however, it was not served at the correct temperature so the warmth hindered the presence of the fruit. The Private Selection Merlot offers a very fruit forward wine with smooth, velvety and balanced flavors. The finish on this wine is not extremely long, but it is noticeable. The acidity in the wine was low muting the flavors of the wine. However, the Mondavi name lived up to its reputation.
