The 48 year-old 1973 Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley in Oakville scored 17 excellent Dionysian Points out of 20. It cost $6.30 back then as the price tag still shows.
There was little sediment, but still decanting of the 12% alcohol wine helped open it. (Really old wines must be decanted immediately prior to drinking) Black cherry still projected and the color, now light ruby with school-house brick on the edges, said the wine held together. Some cigar-box notes floated upward too. (Modern high-alcohol wines do not age very well) This was another one worth the wait and my last one of these.
I met Mr. Mondavi once and his enthusiasm was contagious. I met his sons a few times and they too love the world of wine, but didn’t have their father’s massive drive to delight. Mondavi is sadly owned by a big corporation now. Seek out some of their older examples. In Vino Veritas.
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