Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon 1976

Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon 1976 is a mature-vintage Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa Valley of California. Robert Mondavi is the undisputed godfather of modern Californian winemaking and the older vintages of Mondavi Cabernets are some of the most sought-after and collectible wines from the region. "The 1976 Mondavi cabernet sauvignon is a truly lovely example of this drought vintage, delivering excellent purity and elegance on both the nose and palate. The very classy nose shows almost none of the `roasted` tones that I frequently find in ’76 cabernets, wafting from the glass in a very classy mélange of red cherries, a touch of eucalyptus, woodsmoke, lovely soil tones, a whisper of chipotle pepper and a nice touch of fresh herbs in the upper register. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and quite velvety on the attack, with a fine core of fruit, impressive complexity and still a bit of tannin perking up the long and focused finish. The acidity here is really quite lovely, giving the wine bounce and vibrancy and there are still decades of life ahead for this excellent 1976 cabernet." John Gilman, 2012