Most Napa Valley wines in this price range and above opt for a huge, in-your-face sort of style that’s bombastic in its youth. As to aging those kinds of wines, the jury is still out to a large degree. Here we have something else — an elegant, structured beauty that is riveting now and promises to age into a grand old lady. At present, it is richly red fruit forward, with black cherry and red currants, mild dried herbs, fall spice that doesn’t overwhelm, supple tannins and a long finish that is already incredible, and will continue to deepen. With about an hour in the glass, more black fruit character develops. It’s yet another cellar trophy from Genevieve Janssens. Contains 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot.
Robert Mondavi, Napa Valley (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
By Rich Cook