Mondavi invented the name, “Fume Blanc.” With 13% alcohol, the 1978 Robert Mondavi Fume Blanc Reserve cost under $5 back then, and it scored 17 points on the 20-point Dionysian scale.
I bought it November 11, in 1981. It was deep gold, had white grapefruit aromas, and a smoky-floral nose, and I’m surprised to see how well it lasted over 40 years. White wines seldom last over 10 years except for rare Burgundies.
It looked like an old Sausternes, but the taste was clean, complex, and rewarding.
It made the simple Atlantic Cod and asparagus dinner a very special treat.
Crusted Cod laced with parsley was all the wine need to show off.
Age some wines; time flies by quickly, and learn to look for aroma and taste complexity in mature wines. In Vino Veritas.
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