Robert Mondavi 2016 Oakville Cab Franc

Generous winter rains helped alleviate the drought conditions of the past four years, and the 2016 growing season started early. Throughout the summer months, we enjoyed cooler than average daytime highs and cool evenings, providing balancing acidity to our sun-ripened grapes. The near-perfect growing season continued through harvest and our grapes were safely in the cellar as the valley's first significant rainstorm arrived late October. We are grateful for a fifth consecutive vintage of stellar quality Napa Valley wines.

Blend: 80% Cabernet Franc & 20% Cabernet Sauvigno

Alcohol: 14.5%

93 POINTS - "Dusty gravel and crushed rock earthiness make for a heady, memorable experience in this varietal wine, a standout from the producer. Dried herb, currant and cassis mingle around a soft well-integrated texture of lengthy tannins and classic oak, the body full and fleshy." - Wine Enthusiast

93 POINTS - "A new wine in this range, the 2016 Cabernet Franc emerges from three blocks within To Kalon: V, Monastery North and Monastery South. Aromatic, sensual and super-expressive, the 2016 has a lot going on. Cedar, dried flowers, espresso, dried cherry and menthol all grace this compelling, promising wine that shows terrific energy and plenty of persistence." - Vinous

92 POINTS - "Iodine and currant character with hints of sage and other herbs. Medium body. Spreads across the palate. This is still a little tight. Give it a year or two. Try after 2020." - James Suckling

92 POINTS - "Sappy kirsch and blackberry compote flavors exhibit floral lift, with tobacco and mineral streaks enlivening the finish. Well-toasted and dense, but shows good energy overall. Best from 2021 through 2026." - Wine Spectator

An intriguing nose of ripe black currant, black plum, unsweetened cocoa, fresh tobacco and savory herbs is lifted by perfumed, juicy black berries on the palate with very fine-grained tannins giving structure to the velvety richness and great complexity of this wine.