2009 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
It has been a while since I have had time to post about some of my favorite wines of the year, and I’m glad to have a little now before Monday Night Football to post about what may qualify as my go-to cabernet for 2011.
The folks at Folsom and Associates, the marketing arm for Robert Mondavi Winery, sent me this one a few months ago to give it a test run. Coming off the staggeringly good 2007 vintage, it has been a while since I tasted something that gave me pause. This one did.
Retail $28, buy widely available for far less, the 2009 RMW Cab is all it should be: voluptuous, with a hearty combination of full ripe tannins, balancing acidity, and complex barrel flavors of cinnamon toast, dark berry fruit, and a whisper of cabernet “sauvage”.
Perhaps one of the reasons I liked it so much is that it barely qualifies to be labeled as a cabernet sauvignon at all, with only 75% of the blend being CS. Merlot, cabernet franc, and a few percentage points of common blending varietals all come together adding to a wine I just might like a hint better than it’s 2007 counterpart.
High praise indeed.
I often tell my clients, and anyone who will listen really, that I’m all about finding quality wine for the price–no matter the price. Basically what I’m talking about is getting a good bang for your buck.
