Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 1997

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Winery:

Robert Mondavi Winery

Varietal:

Cabernet Sauvignon

Region:

USA > California > Napa

Type:

Red Wine

Color:

Drink Dates:

Drink Now - 2018

UPC:

 

User Tags:  fruit, berry, earthy, complex, resinous, cedar, spice, smooth, trees, balance 

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What to Expect

California's Napa Valley has been a source of world-class Cabernet Sauvignon for well over a century. Its warm climate and varied terrain allows for many styles of wine. One thread that runs through almost all the Cabernet based wines from Napa is their lush, ripe full-bodied feel and rich flavors of currant and berry. Wines from the valley floor, particularly around Rutherford, are famed for a dusty quality and those coming from the hillsides surrounding the valley, Mt. Veeder, Diamond Mountain and Howell Mountain for example, tend to be a little leaner with more obvious structural elements.

Winemakers Notes

Winemaker's Notes
Reflecting an outstanding vintage –without doubt one of the finest of the decade – our 1997 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon expresses exceptional aromatic and flavor intensity. Wine critics have acclaimed it as one of the greatest Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons we’ve produced. The rich complexity of flavors is the result of an artistic blend of grapes from several distinctly different terroirs of Napa Valley. Notes of ripe black currants, blackberries, plums, violets and chocolate unfold in the intriguing aromas and velvety flavors. Sweet spices, read more...vanilla and toasty oak notes linger on the long finish. The wine’s extraction and exquisite balance promise long aging potential. Consider pairing our 1997 vintage with a diversity of entrees, including grilled lamb brochettes with rosemary, filet of beef with Cabernet Sauvignon sauce or hickory grilled quail with pumpkin risotto. You can find these recipes on our website.

Fermentation & Aging
After grapes were gently destemmed and crushed, we fermented the must with a combination of native (over 50%) and cultured yeasts for layers of flavor complexity. To naturally soften the grape tannins and heighten varietal intensity, we left the skins in contact with the wine (maceration) for an average of 24 days. A long malolactic fermentation (primarily native) conducted entirely in barrels enhanced the wine’s depth and body. During 19½ months in small French oak barrels (20% new oak), the wine was racked barrel-to-barrel four times and lightly fined with fresh egg whites. Between rackings, the wine was left undisturbed for optimal clarity. To fully retain the beautifully integrated layers of fruit, spice, floral and oak expression and long aging potential of our Cabernet Sauvignon, we bottled it without filtration.


Vintage
The 1997 harvest at Robert Mondavi Winery was one of the earliest this decade, beginning August 4th and completing October 6th. It was an excellent vintage, in terms of quality and good yields, ending two years of small harvests in Napa Valley. Abundant sunlight produced high bud fertility in the vine’s canes which, coupled with ideal weather during bloom and berry set, contributed to the bountiful yields. Rainfall was average in quantity (we received 40” at our winery in Oakville). However, it was considered a dry year because of the timing. Heavy rainfall occurred in December and January, followed by months of dry, warm weather. Near perfect weather for ripening and ample “hang time” on the vines, resulted in flavorful, balanced Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.    (hide)

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