By: Mark Miesner
Photos: Lauren DeSantis
We started our day in St. Helena and…
I will never look at a bottle of Robert Mondavi wine the
same way after visiting the grounds in person.
Every time I’ve seen a bottle since our visit, I am immediately taken
back to the entry way architecture that I walked through as I entered the
winery. Simply breathtaking.
I honestly don’t think she could do her job
any better, period. Thank you Jani, we
had a blast!
After taking in the massive wine-making facilities, we
meandered to their cellar to sip on the goods in a private tasting room that
was truly remarkable.
I felt like a VIP,
well I kinda was for that day. Jani
poured us some 2012 Fume Blanc Reserve, and the wheels were up from there. What a crisp one it was, setting the day of
just right. Now I know why they call it
a “walk in the park,” and my walking shoes were on.
How bout’ some French Oak, Pinot Noir next? Okie dokie!
The 2012 reserve was silky smooth, and it kept getting better with every
swig. “Can I take a bath in this?”
From there, the wines just kept on getting bigger and
better. We sampled some Cab reserve and
the 2010 To Kalon Caberenet Sauvignon.
Yes, 100% Cabernet, and it shined like the sunny Californian sun on a
June afternoon. Perfectly balanced to my
liking, and extremely well developed. It
was easy to interpret the amount of care that went into making this gem. “Is there just the one bottle, Jani?”
Bottom line, if you visit Napa, you’ve gotta see Mondavi’s
place. Such a great setting to crack a
bottle open and share some stories with friends and make some new memories that
you will cherish forever. It felt so
open and inviting, because it is just that.
Thank you for your hospitality, and see you next time for
sure!
Robert Mondavi WineryAppellation: Oakville, Napa ValleyTastings: $20 for 4 wines in the main tasting room; $45 for 4 wines or wine by the glass in the To Kalon Reserve tasting room.
Tours: Signature Tour and Tasting, including To Kalon Vineyard, by reservationThe Wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Fume Blanc, I Block Fume Blanc, Moscato D'Oro, Pinot Noir, To Kalon Cabernet SauvignonWine Maker: Genevieve JanssensAnnual Production: 250K casesWho's Pouring Our Wine: Jani DiCarlo
Robert Mondavi Winery
7801 Hwy. 29
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