2002 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville (USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville)

Last bottle. Great showing. Classically Mondavi. Deep and dark, near viscous. Nose of subdued rose petals, black currant and ripened blackberries. Palate has the black fruit profile I love concentrating of the more traditional genre: Black currant, black raspberries and hints of black plum pumice. There is some lead pencil, cedar-box, cocoa powder and cola. Tannins still alive and in charge, but the main character in this and most good Mondavi wines of a bygone era is the acidity: Mr Mondavi had always strived for a food friendly wine when he made his Cabs, and this reflects the devotion and success. This mediuam weight wines deserves a thick medium rare sirloin with all the fixings. A wonderful expression of a wine that made me fall in love with Cabernet oh so many years back; before Herold, Brown and Hirby hit the scene. (all great winemakers of today, BTW....... and point added for nostalgic effect.) 93 pts