This is a beautiful 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve from Mondavi. The wine, a blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Cabernet Franc, has a youthful, opaque bluish/purple color and a classic nose of lead pencil shavings, crème de cassis, licorice, and subtle, toasty French oak. Some chocolate also makes an appearance. Approachable, this full-bodied, beautifully concentrated and handsome Cabernet Sauvignon strikes me as one of the superb efforts the Mondavi Winery has produced, and should age effortlessly for another 20+ years. Given the bevy of $200+ Napa Cabernets these days, at $135.00, this is not a best buy, but it’s certainly a compelling price point, given this stunner. Drink it over the next 20 years. P.S. Once again, the vintage’s incredible freshness, vibrancy and precision are well displayed in this wine and, as I have indicated so many times in this horizontal, this is a striking characteristic in the manner the 2005s have evolved.

The dense ruby/purple-hued 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve’s big, sweet nose reveals aromas of creme de cassis, licorice, cedar, and spice box. Medium to full-bodied, elegant, restrained, and made in a distinctively Bordeaux style, it possesses admirable purity, texture, and length. It is delicate and poised as opposed to flamboyant, and should age easily for 15-18 years. Tel. (707) 226-1395

Sleek, elegant and polished. A refined yet rich and complex effort, with a mix of mint, currant, bay leaf, sage and dusty berry flavors. Firms up on the finish, where the tannins are firm yet supple and integrated. Best from 2009 through 2015. 8,500 cases made. -JL

Very rich brambly blackberry nose. Ripe tannins, massive, but with spice and acidity too. Hedonistic without being bland or flabby.

This is a very fine, high level Cabernet that shows the impeccable nature of Mondavi Reserve. Yet it’s also very tannic and far from being drinkable. Shows a vast repository of black currant, blackberry, black cherry and new oak flavors wrapped into a smooth, velvety mouthfeel whose finish goes on forever. Masculine and authoritative, it should continue to improve for many years. Drink now, with decanting, and through 2017, at least.——S.H.(12/31/2008)—— 94