WTN: 1974 Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

I've read really positive comments about this wine hence I couldn't resist buying it although I had a few rather disappointing experiences with other bottles of Mondavi Cabernet Reserve (1991, 1994). I didn't have the courage to serve this to my friends since I didn't expect this bottle to be in perfect shape given its bare top shoulder fill and the general risk associated with older bottles of wine.

But this bottle teached me again reverence for Californian Cabernet made in the seventies - after some great Heitz Martha's I recently tasted from this period. It was far better than expected:

The wine boasts a deep red color, followed by a nice, sweet nose of strawberries and raspberries merged with eucalyptus, smoke and earth. The opulent texture, viscous richness, and sweet, pure fruit were balanced by refreshing acidity and highly aromatic tannin. A big surprise to me and by far the best Mondavi Cabernet Reserve I've ever had so far. - My personel rating: 17.5/20.

Cheers, Rainer

I've read really positive comments about this wine hence I couldn't resist buying it although I had a few rather disappointing experiences with other bottles of Mondavi Cabernet Reserve (1991, 1994).......

The wine boasts a deep red color, followed by a nice, sweet nose of strawberries and raspberries merged with eucalyptus, smoke and earth. The opulent texture, viscous richness, and sweet, pure fruit were balanced by refreshing acidity and highly aromatic tannin. A big surprise to me and by far the best Mondavi Cabernet Reserve I've ever had so far. - My personel rating: 17.5/20.

Cheers, Rainer

Funny that! A Mondavi Cabernet Reserve 1991 ranks as one of my outstanding American wine experiences alongside Dominus and Ridge Montebello. My recollection of it is pretty close to your note on this 1974.

Rainer,
I can't speak to the Mondavi wines of the '90s and beyond, but in the '70s and '80s Mondavi Reserve was a consistent, typically understated but classic example California Cabernet. Ageworthy, restrained and stylish, they rank up there with Monte Bello, Montelena, Phelps, Heitz and Stag's Leap among the "classics."

Mark Lipton

I've read really positive comments about this wine hence I couldn't resist buying it although I had a few rather disappointing experiences with other bottles of Mondavi Cabernet Reserve (1991, 1994).......

Funny that! A Mondavi Cabernet Reserve 1991 ranks as one of my outstanding American wine experiences alongside Dominus and Ridge Montebello. My recollection of it is pretty close to your note on this 1974.

Tim, thanks for your comment, that's good to hear. I obviously had bad luck with my bottle of Mondavi Cabernet Reserve 1991 (stored too warm?). I'm now encouraged to give it another try with this. Regards, Rainer

You might like the 1997 if you can try it.

1974 - a great Napa vintage for several reasons (i.e.: Paris)! I still have my (empty) bottle of '74 Mondavi, kept for posterity.

I like the 74 Mondavi reserve a lot, but the regular bottling is no slouch if well stored