Robert Mondavi 2017 The Reserve To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 750ml

To Kalon Vineyard's viticultural history dates back to 1868, when Henry Walker Crabb first planted it, naming the site "To Kalon" — Greek for "the highest good" or "the beautiful." That name has aged remarkably well: To Kalon is now widely rated the #1 vineyard in North America and among the top five internationally, and Robert Mondavi Winery's own Reserve bottling represents the estate's most concentrated expression of exactly what makes this ground so special. This 2017 vintage marks the seventh release of Mondavi's To Kalon-designated Reserve, blended entirely from the finest individual blocks within the vineyard — each block or sub-block kept scrupulously separate through fermentation and aging, with the final blend only assembled the following year.

Robert Mondavi Winery was founded in 1966 by winemaking pioneer Robert Mondavi, the first major winery built in Napa Valley in the three decades following Prohibition's repeal, laying much of the groundwork for the modern California wine industry. Genevieve Janssens, Director of Winemaking, describes the Reserve's guiding philosophy directly: "this Reserve embodies Robert Mondavi's philosophy of making wines that are powerful yet gentle. Each year the blend reflects the 'First Growth' quality of To Kalon Vineyard. It is a classic wine that represents the history of innovation and style at Robert Mondavi Winery." The 2017 vintage runs 94.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, and 0.5% Cabernet Franc, entirely sourced from the estate's own To Kalon holdings.

Wine Enthusiast awarded 93 Points, a Cellar Selection, describing a wine that's "reserve-worthy," "age-worthy and structured, with hugely concentrated red fruit and bursts of dried herb," where "tight-grained tannins emphasize its power as underlying acidity builds on the palate to provide a hint of brightness," recommending it be enjoyed "best from 2027-2030." Antonio Galloni scored the wine 93+ Points, calling it "rich, enticing and super-expressive," with "bright floral and spice overtones" adding "freshness to this deep, plush Cabernet Sauvignon," where "raspberry jam, spice, leather, cedar and menthol all take shape in the glass" — concluding it's "a classy, polished and nuanced wine with great depth and tons of personality." Wilfred Wong's own tasting found "aromas and flavors of blackcurrants, violets, licorice, and a lovely note of oak," recommending it alongside "a lightly-seasoned, grilled ribeye." The winery's own tasting notes describe "sage, black currant, and vanilla bean" aromas, developing on the palate into "ripe black cherry, fragrant dried herbs, plum compote, cinnamon, clove," with the wine coating "the mouth with fine tannins" and singing "with lively acidity." Gus Clemens' independent tasting called it simply "an astonishing and delightful experience in the mouth — defines the difference between good cabernet sauvignon and" truly great. This is genuinely serious, "First Growth"-caliber Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, from one of the most celebrated single vineyards anywhere in the world.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Robert Mondavi Winery was founded in 1966 by Robert Mondavi, the first major winery built in Napa Valley in the three decades following the repeal of Prohibition, laying much of the foundation for the modern California wine industry. To Kalon Vineyard, in Oakville, was first planted in 1868 by Henry Walker Crabb, and is today widely recognized as one of the finest vineyards in the world — rated #1 in North America and #5 internationally.

The 2017 Reserve To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon marks the seventh vintage of this designation, crafted under Director of Winemaking Genevieve Janssens. The wine is blended entirely from the estate's finest individual blocks within To Kalon Vineyard, with each block or sub-block fermented and aged separately before final blending the following year. The 2017 vintage is 94.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, and 0.5% Cabernet Franc, 100% sourced from Oakville's To Kalon Vineyard.

Critics Reviews

Wine Enthusiast — 93 Points, Cellar Selection:
"With tiny amounts of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, this reserve-worthy wine is age-worthy and structured, with hugely concentrated red fruit and bursts of dried herb. Tight-grained tannins emphasize its power as underlying acidity builds on the palate to provide a hint of brightness. Enjoy best from 2027-2030."

Antonio Galloni — 93+ Points:
"The 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is rich, enticing and super-expressive. Bright floral and spice overtones add freshness to this deep, plush Cabernet Sauvignon. Raspberry jam, spice, leather, cedar and menthol all take shape in the glass. This is a classy, polished and nuanced wine with great depth and tons of personality."

Wilfred Wong (extended tasting note):
"The 2017 Robert Mondavi Winery Reserve To Kalon Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is an outstanding Napa Valley effort. This excellent wine shines with aromas and flavors of blackcurrants, violets, licorice, and a lovely note of oak. Enjoy it with a lightly-seasoned, grilled ribeye."

Gus Clemens (extended independent review):
"Dry; delicious, silky tannins and balancing acidity. Great focus on superb, smooth, sleek fruits. Just an astonishing and delightful experience in the mouth — defines the difference between good cabernet sauvignon and truly great cabernet sauvignon. This is so exquisite you can just enjoy it on its own."

Genevieve Janssens, Director of Winemaking, Robert Mondavi Winery:
"This Reserve embodies Robert Mondavi's philosophy of making wines that are powerful yet gentle. Each year the blend reflects the 'First Growth' quality of To Kalon Vineyard."

Robert Mondavi Winery (official tasting notes):
"Sage, black currant, and vanilla bean aromas waft from the glass. The wine coats the mouth with fine tannins and sings with lively acidity, exuding flavors of ripe black cherry, fragrant dried herbs, plum compote, cinnamon, clove."

Tasting Profile

Nose
Sage, black currant, and vanilla bean lead, joined by bright floral and spice overtones, alongside violet, licorice, and a lovely note of oak.

Palate
Deep and plush, with ripe black cherry, raspberry jam, and plum compote carrying real concentration, developing dried herb, cinnamon, clove, leather, cedar, and menthol. Tight-grained, fine tannins coat the mouth, with lively acidity providing brightness.

Finish
Structured and age-worthy, closing with lingering spice and herb complexity — a genuinely classy, polished, and nuanced finish reflecting To Kalon's celebrated terroir.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Grilled ribeye or bone-in ribeye with blue cheese and rosemary butter
• Braised lamb
• Aged hard cheeses
• Rich, savory braises