| In this article I taste an inexpensive California wine | | | | Turkish hot pepper sauce) intensified the Cabernet |
| from the recently deceased wine giant Robert | | | | Sauvignon's flavors; dark became darker and I don't |
| Mondavi who to a large extent put California on the | | | | mean that negatively. |
| international wine map. If you really want to become | | | | As you may know, I do like to try somewhat unusual |
| a wine professional consider the Robert Mondavi | | | | wine and food pairing combinations. I had every |
| Institute (RMI) for Wine and Food Science at the | | | | intention of trying this wine with a chicken dish. And |
| University of California, Davis. We are too old for | | | | in this case, I had permission from headquarters. The |
| that sort of thing but not too old to enjoy his wine, | | | | back label starts with the following sentence: "Our |
| at least in this price range. One day we may taste | | | | Cabernet Sauvignon's spicy dark fruit character, with |
| one of his $100 Cabernet Sauvignons, but we won't | | | | a velvety smooth finish, is delicious with grilled or |
| be reporting on it here. For the time being, let's see | | | | roasted meats, - even chicken!" I tasted this wine |
| how the company's $10 wine does. By the way, you | | | | with chicken in a soy and onion sauce accompanied |
| may be able to find this wine in the United States for | | | | by roasted eggplant with lots of garlic, and French |
| considerably less than $10. | | | | fries in garlic and rosemary. The wine was tannic. I |
| OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste | | | | tasted oak. The black cherry and plum flavors were |
| and review are purchased at the full retail price. | | | | powerful and yet did not destroy the chicken. This |
| Wine Reviewed | | | | liquid pleasure was actually chewy. The oily eggplant |
| Robert Mondavi Woodbridge Cabernet Sauvignon, | | | | (I'm not complaining) rendered the wine more acidic |
| California, 2007 13.5% alcohol about $10 | | | | but the combination worked well. But let's be fair, the |
| Let's start by quoting the marketing materials. | | | | wine and chicken didn't mesh. |
| Tasting Note: Deep garnet red; wild red berry and | | | | My final food pairing involved beef stew, carrots, and |
| cassis aroma; fresh fruit flavor, balanced wine, soft | | | | potatoes. There was great balance of acidity, fruits, |
| tannins, good quality, easy drinking. Serving | | | | and tannins. I got some oak with dark fruits, mostly |
| Suggestion: Serve with grilled meats. And now for my | | | | black cherries and plums. The wine was nice and long, |
| reactions. | | | | meaty and chewy. |
| The first meal consisted of slow-cooked beef ribs | | | | I ended the bottle with two local cheeses. In the |
| and potatoes with fresh red pepper slices. First I had | | | | presence of a nutty, mild Provolone the Cabernet |
| a few sips to get me started. The wine was round | | | | Sauvignon retained most of its characteristics but |
| and so were the tannins. I tasted dark fruits, | | | | didn't meld well with the cheese. A marbled, yellow |
| especially black cherries. This Cab was fairly long with | | | | and orange Cheddar cheese flattened the wine. |
| a good acidic balance. In the presence of the meat | | | | Final verdict. This Cabernet Sauvignon is definitely a |
| the wine became even rounder. It enveloped the | | | | winner with hearty beef dishes. I'd buy it again and |
| potatoes. The red pepper rendered the wine more | | | | again. And I'd like to do a vertical tasting, comparing |
| acidic, but not unpleasantly so. Some Harissa (a | | | | Mondavi Cabs up the line. |