Tasting through Robert Mondavi's portfolio continues to reinforce my impression that this winery is undeniably the spiritual and qualitative leader of that sector of the California wine industry dedicated to producing world-class wines. What is so admirable about the entire Mondavi operation is that they continue to push their wines to higher and higher qualitative levels. Their nearly obsessive pursuit of bottling the wines with no manipulation has led to the majority of Mondavi's white wines being bottled without filtration - an extraordinary testament to their commitment to natural wines and superb quality. Mondavi has also inaugurated a line-up of Italian-inspired varietals (Barbera, Sangiovese, Pinot Grigio, Malvasia, and Tocai) in designer bottles. While the quality is good, those products have not yet hit the heights of the firm's other wines. Rest assured, that will change. While most wine collectors concentrate on Mondavi's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon program (and why not?), this winery has been turning out fine, unfiltered Cabernet Sauvignons from Napa and from their Oakville vineyard. Mondavi produces 10,000-15,000 cases of Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, which reflect the vintages' personalities, ranging from elegant, graceful, structured wines (1992), and blockbuster, massive, concentrated wines (1987), to wonderfully fragrant, velvety-textured wines of exceptional intensity that can be drunk young (1990, 1993, and 1994). The wine has been particularly strong since 1990 (although my palate still says 1987 is the vintage to beat), with a succession of glorious Reserves. The most tannic and backward is the 1991, and the most promising are the 1990, 1991, and 1994. The most underrated is the 1993. The 1993 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve outperformed the 1992 at the winery, revealing a concentrated, splendidly saturated dark purple color, wonderfully sweet, intense aromas of chocolate, smoke, vanilla beans, and rich blackcurrant fruit. The wine tastes more extracted than the 1992, with a sweeter, more expansive, glycerin-imbued mid-section and finish. Although it carries as much tannin as the 1992, the tannin is riper as well as better integrated. The 1993 is a 25-30 years wine that ideally needs another 4-5 years of cellaring. All things considered, there is plenty to be excited about at the Robert Mondavi winery. Tel. (800)-MONDAVI; Fax (707) 963-1007.

Tasting through Robert Mondavi's portfolio continues to reinforce my impression that this winery is undeniably the spiritual and qualitative leader of that sector of the California wine industry dedicated to producing world-class wines. What is so admirable about the entire Mondavi operation is that they continue to push their wines to higher and higher qualitative levels. Their nearly obsessive pursuit of bottling the wines with no manipulation has led to the majority of Mondavi's white wines being bottled without filtration - an extraordinary testament to their commitment to natural wines and superb quality. Mondavi has also inaugurated a line-up of Italian-inspired varietals (Barbera, Sangiovese, Pinot Grigio, Malvasia, and Tocai) in designer bottles. While the quality is good, those products have not yet hit the heights of the firm's other wines. Rest assured, that will change.While most wine collectors concentrate on Mondavi's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon program (and why not?), this winery has been turning out fine, unfiltered Cabernet Sauvignons from Napa and from their Oakville vineyard. Mondavi produces 10,000-15,000 cases of Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, which reflect the vintages' personalities, ranging from elegant, graceful, structured wines (1992), and blockbuster, massive, concentrated wines (1987), to wonderfully fragrant, velvety-textured wines of exceptional intensity that can be drunk young (1990, 1993, and 1994). The wine has been particularly strong since 1990 (although my palate still says 1987 is the vintage to beat), with a succession of glorious Reserves. The most tannic and backward is the 1991, and the most promising are the 1990, 1991, and 1994. The most underrated is the 1993. The 1993 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve outperformed the 1992 at the winery, revealing a concentrated, splendidly saturated dark purple color, wonderfully sweet, intense aromas of chocolate, smoke, vanilla beans, and rich blackcurrant fruit. The wine tastes more extracted than the 1992, with a sweeter, more expansive, glycerin-imbued mid-section and finish. Although it carries as much tannin as the 1992, the tannin is riper as well as better integrated. The 1993 is a 25-30 years wine that ideally needs another 4-5 years of cellaring. All things considered, there is plenty to be excited about at the Robert Mondavi winery. Tel. (800)-MONDAVI; Fax (707) 963-1007.

Sleek, elegant and long on finesse, with a mature, supple tapestry of currant, plum and dried berry fruit. The chewy tannins firm up and give backbone to the finish.--1993 California Cabernet retrospective. Drink now through 2007. 17,000 cases made. -JL