At a glance

Producer

Robert Mondavi Winery

Region

Oakville, Napa Valley, California, USA

Grape variety

Cabernet Sauvignon (with small amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot in some vintages)

Wine type

Red

Body

Full-bodied and Bold

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$200-$300 USD

Tasting profile

Expressive dark fruits (blackcurrant, blackberry), graphite, mocha, dried herbs, sweet tobacco; powerful palate with fresh acidity and firm oak; lingering finish.

Evolution: Savory notes (cedar, cocoa, leather, earth), secondary tertiary complexity emerging after 8+ years; tannins soften and integrate.

At peak: Refined, harmonious blend of fruit and tertiary notes. Seamless texture, long finish. The wine will showcase classic Napa and To Kalon terroir.

Structure

Acidity

Medium (+), gives freshness and balance.

Tannins

Firm, fine-grained, and prominent—built for long-term aging.

Alcohol

14.5%-15% ABV (typical for Napa Valley; vintage specific: 15.0%)

Aging potential

Excellent—will evolve for at least 20-30 years from vintage in top storage; can drink well to 2045+.

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2025 to 2037

Optimal window

2022 to 2037

Current status

Entering prime drinking window; suitable for immediate enjoyment or further aging.

Current condition

Structured, with evolving secondary complexity. Tannins integrating; fruit intensity remains high.

Top Napa Valley Cabernets from prestige sites like To Kalon, especially in an excellent vintage (2015), show remarkable longevity. Structure, acidity, and concentration allow 25-30+ years' graceful aging.

Food pairing

Grilled ribeye steak, roast lamb with rosemary, wild mushroom risotto, hard aged cheeses (Comté, Parmigiano-Reggiano). Avoid overly spicy or acidic dishes.

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (2 hours) — Decanting opens up aromatics, softens tannins, and allows full expression of complexity.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 8/10

Cover cropping, integrated pest management, water conservation (drip irrigation, aquifer monitoring), solar energy (one of largest solar installations in Napa), lightweight recycled glass bottles, habitat restoration in To Kalon, electric vineyard vehicles.

Robert Mondavi Winery is a Napa Green certified leader in sustainable viticulture. Initiatives include solar power generation, efficient water management, recycling programs, university partnerships on environmental research, and wildlife corridor creation. Bottling and shipping employ eco-friendly materials. While luxury Napa wines inherently involve some carbon impact, the winery offers best-in-class sustainability relative to peers. Overall, strong environmental stewardship merits a sustainability score of 8 out of 10.