Deep, intense dark fruit character, with mineral, violet and earthy truffle complexity, distinguishes our 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve. The wine is powerful yet elegant, with beautifully integrated firm, muscular tannins, promising long aging potential. Selected from our finest vineyards, our Napa Valley Reserve captures the complex flavor profile and exquisite balance of the Oakville bench region. The wine was handcrafted in our new To Kalon Fermentation Cellar with traditional techniques, including hand-sorting of the clusters, gravity-flow movement of the must and wine, and fermentation in a traditional oak tank. Sixteen months of aging in new French oak château barrels added vanilla and toasty oak accents. To retain fully this wine’s enormous depth, texture and length of finish, we bottled it without fining or filtration.
Wine Spectator 94 points - A superrich, polished, multifaceted wine, with layers of ripe currant, blackberry, herb, cedar, sage and a touch of pencil lead. Deep and concentrated, the flavors pour through on the finish, and while the tannins are chewy, the texture is supple. Best from 2005 through 2012. Score: 94. —James Laube, November 15, 2004.
Wine Advocate 94 points - The finest Private Reserve since the 1991, 1990, and 1987, the 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve is extraordinary. There are 8,000 cases of this blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, and small dollops of Merlot as well as Petit Verdot. A perfume of smoke, camphor, creme de cassis, cedar, and fruitcake is accompanied by a gentle giant of a wine. Powerful and impeccably balanced, with outstanding concentration, well-integrated wood, acidity, and tannin, and a long, nearly 60-second finish, this saturated ruby/purple-hued effort is a prodigious example of Cabernet Sauvignon. Anticipated maturity: now-2020+. Score: 94. —Robert Parker, February 2005.
Wine Enthusiast 94 points - Contains 67% To Kalon Vineyard fruit. Still a baby. Closed, brooding, very deep, very dry. Fabulous cassis fruit, a huge wine. Lots of delicious, sweet new oak. Superbly balanced, impressive. Drinkable now, but best 2010-2020. Score: 94. —Steve Heimoff, June 01, 2005. The finest Private Reserve since the 1991, 1990, and 1987, the 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve is extraordinary. There are 8,000 cases of this blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, and small dollops of Merlot as well as Petit Verdot. A perfume of smoke, camphor, creme de cassis, cedar, and fruitcake is accompanied by a gentle giant of a wine. Powerful and impeccably balanced, with outstanding concentration, well-integrated wood, acidity, and tannin, and a long, nearly 60-second finish, this saturated ruby/purple-hued effort is a prodigious example of Cabernet Sauvignon. Anticipated maturity: now-2020+.
The finest Private Reserve since the 1991, 1990, and 1987, the 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve is extraordinary. There are 8,000 cases of this blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, and small dollops of Merlot as well as Petit Verdot. A perfume of smoke, camphor, creme de cassis, cedar, and fruitcake is accompanied by a gentle giant of a wine. Powerful and impeccably balanced, with outstanding concentration, well-integrated wood, acidity, and tannin, and a long, nearly 60-second finish, this saturated ruby/purple-hued effort is a prodigious example of Cabernet Sauvignon. Anticipated maturity: now-2020+.
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In 1966, emboldened by boundless enthusiasm, and a conviction that California could produce wines that would belong in the company of the world's finest, Robert Mondavi set out on his own to found the first major winery built in the valley since prohibition Robert Mondavi Winery. Since then the open arch of the Robert Mondavi Winery has welcomed thousands of guests who have come to share in Robert's love of wine, food, and art.
The best Reserve offering since 1994 is the 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, a 13,000-case blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Malbec and Petit Verdot. Half of the fruit emerges from the To-Kalon Vineyard. It boasts a saturated purple color as well as a sumptuous perfume of white chocolate, flowers, black currants, blackberries, and cigar smoke. Powerful, rich, and concentrated with admirable purity, a layered texture.
