Here's a straightforward summary of the 2016 Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve To Kalon Vineyard:
The 2016 Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve To Kalon Vineyard is a distinguished wine from the Napa Valley region of California. This red wine, primarily composed of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, with 7% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot, boasts a robust 14.5% alcohol content and is sealed with a traditional cork closure.
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate awarded this wine a score of 96+, highlighting its "deep garnet-purple color" and complex nose, featuring "kirsch, wilted roses, candied violets, and dried Provence herbs" alongside "wild blueberries, red and black currants, and mulberries." The reviewer, LPB, noted that the wine's medium to full body is filled with "crunchy black fruits framed by firm, ripe, grainy tannins" and finishes with a long, earthy note.
Wine Spectator gave the wine a score of 93, describing it as "solidly built" with a core of "cassis, bitter cherry, and plum reduction notes," and accented by "racy savory, iron and singed cedar." They pointed out the wine's "subtle energy" and its "sneakily long" fruit finish, suggesting it will be at its best from 2021 through 2032.
Jeb Dunnuck also rated the wine highly with a score of 96, emphasizing its potential for long-term aging. He praised its "deep purple color" and "rocking notes of blackberries, black cherries, smoke tobacco, black licorice, and crushed rocks." Dunnuck highlighted the wine's "terrific sense of minerality," "subtle background oak," and "impeccable balance," recommending that bottles be cellared for 4-5 years for optimal enjoyment.
James Suckling matched this score with a 96, calling attention to the wine’s "structured and layered" profile, with "currants, ripe berries, and hints of chocolate and hazelnuts." He noted its "full body" and "blueberry, chocolate and spice flavors," declaring it showcases "focus and craftsmanship."
The Tasting Panel Magazine awarded the highest score of 99, describing "mesmerizing aromas of earth, violets, and fresh black and blue fruit." They noted the wine's "chalky tannins" and "lifting acidity," with "savory notes of soy sauce, espresso, sweet soil, and bittersweet dark chocolate," resting on a "praiseworthy pedestal."
In summary, the 2016 Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve To Kalon Vineyard is a critically acclaimed wine with excellent reviews, reflecting its complexity, balance, and aging potential.