1999 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve
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Tasting notes
Healthy dark red. Musky aromas of dark raspberry, sexy oak, cocoa powder, cured tobacco and leather. Not hugely fleshy or sweet but velvety and fine-grained, offering an attractive balance of sweet fruit and herbal elements. In the distinctly European style of the vintage, showing lovely energy, clarity and cut. Finishes suave and firm, with a broad dusting of tannins and very good subtle length. (14.1% alcohol)
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
(14.1%; 68% To Kalon; this and previous vintages were made in stainless steel tanks--and without the benefit of a sorting table): Dark ruby-red. Old World scents of black cherry, licorice, pepper and herbs convey the cool aspect of this vintage. Vinous and energetic, displaying strong peppery intensity to the dark berry, licorice and herb flavors. More spine than flesh here--and distinctly old school. Finishes firmly tannic and persistent. There's no rush to drink this brisk Cabernet.
85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 2% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec. At the time, one of the coolest vintages on record with a week-long, hot, dry spell in September. 82% Oakville (68% To Kalon), 11% Stags Leap, 7% Carneros. Stainless steel fermentation with 40 days' additional skin contact. Malolactic and ageing done in French oak barrels, 80% new, for 17 months. This is the final vintage fermented in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks. All original vintages, 1966 to 1999, were done in Mondavi’s then-signature stainless-steel temperature-controlled tanks, and aged in French oak barrels. (The fermentation regimen changes in 2000.) Herbal and floral aromatics with accents of gun metal and lots of pleasing freshness. The palate carries a stunning balance of dried herbs, gun metal, black olive and nicely integrated spice through mixed fruit on a backbone of dry, fine tannins and mouth-watering acidity. There is nice density throughout the full length of the palate, all the way to an extended finish. While the 1998 echoes with a sense of Médoc, the 1999 is distinctly Napa Valley. (ECB)
Very deep crimson and such deep flavours it is almost brûlée. Then more of those tough tannins and a slightly hot finish. Far from resolved yet. (JR)
About the producer
Robert Mondavi is a name known the world over. The ambitious businessman created his eponymous winery in 1966 to produce world-class wines in Napa, pioneering quality winemaking and becoming a champion for the region.