Technical Details
- BlendCabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec
- CountryUS
- RegionCalifornia
- AppellationNapa Valley
- VineyardMonastery Block, To Kalon
- Aging/Cooperage24 months in new French oak
- Alcohol14.5%
- Production20 Cases cases
Robert Mondavi Premiere Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Monastery Block To Kalon Vineyard 2018
“Premiere lures major trade customers from across the world to California, where they can taste, mingle, and buy one-off wines made specially for the occasion, much like a booze-soaked bake sale.” - Robb Report
Indeed! We do it every year! What’s PNV? Premiere Napa Valley wines are the most unique wines made in Napa Valley. The event is a centerpiece of the Napa Valley Vintners, where, for 3-4 days a year, trade members like us get to bid on TINY quantities of very special wines (literally the best in the cellar), crafted just for this event, and we are able to taste during this short period. Though reminiscent of how Hospices de Beaune wines are produced in Burgundy, the process is uniquely American. HERE’S a good video to further explain, if you like! But know this -- these will not be seen again, EVER!
Today, we have the distinct pleasure to unleash this outrageously good, virtual UNICORN of a wine upon savvy cabernet-hunters across the land today — wow! We bought this lot a couple years ago after tasting dozens upon dozens of these super-limited offerings from the truly special 2018 vintage, and we’ve been waiting impatiently for it to finally arrive. It was an embarrassment of riches tasting the top lots from a vintage like 2018, but Mondavi’s To Kalon, an extra special selection from Genevieve’s favorite block in the entire vineyard, the Monastery Block, was one of the best of the 200+ wines tasted. This is the same block that her and Thomas Rivers Brown now have to fight over since Schrader (now owned by Constellation) is now bottling their own version of the Monastery Block. This is bottled Napa Valley history right here!
A wine of immense structure and stature, this is built like a skyscraper with glorious, pixelated tannin and super expressive aromatics. Cabernet sauvignon forms the backbone of the wine with classically refined tannins and aromas of cassis, blackberry, kirsch and black plum. Merlot adds elegance and plushness, and the hint of cabernet franc heightens the aromatic intensity and earthiness. Petit verdot contributes black pepper spiciness and deepens the deep color. To add complexity and notes of baking spices, this Monastery Block blend was aged for 24 months in new French oak and then an additional year in the bottle. Enjoy between 2025-2060, if you must open soon, give this is good 3-5 hour decant.
A masterpiece of a wine that will be a star of any cellar and a wine that we suspect will age like the great Reserve wines made at Mondavi in the the 1970s, many of which are still youthful. Don't miss this special wine...!
PAIRING IDEAS: Grab a heavily marbled prime cut ribeye and get the grill ripping hot. That is really all you need here - the classic cab and a slab is going to make you very happy.
MUSIC SUGGESTIONS: Got to go with some Chicago blues to get you in the right headspace. Check out Harmonica Shah’s "Boom Boom" for a real nice vibe as you pop a bottle.