Robert Mondavi

Our day trip to Sonoma had one Napa stop thrown into the mix - Robert Mondavi.  We went straight to the Reserve Tasting room (which by the way, we did at nearly every winery that had the option.)  We enjoy the Reserve Tasting rooms as they don't cost much more than the regular tasting room but you often get to try some unique wines that are only available at the winery or some wines that are more expensive and not the typical bottle of wine we will pick up for a typical weeknight of catching up on American Idol and Lost.

The Reserve Tasting room at Mondavi offers 4 tastes for $30. The pours were about 2 oz. each, so although the cost was the most expensive during our tour, the pours were double the amount in each glass.   Mike and I always share a tasting, it keeps cost down and allows you to taste plenty of wines without getting tipsy. 

Our wine guy offered zero information about the wines, but that wasn't really his fault, the bar area isn't very large, so it seems like they want you in and out as quickly as possible.  Our wine guy did suggest that we try the Stag's Leap Cab and the 06 - both were great.   We also chose a Pinot and the 98 Cab to complete our tasting.  Once the wines for tasting have been chosen, he suggested that we find a cozy spot to sit and enjoy, so we headed to the lovely dining room table next to the fire place to enjoy.  It was very relaxing and the four of us critiqued the wines together. 

We started with the Pinot. It was pleasant but I'm not really a fan of the Pinots.  Next we moved to the 98 Cab, the Stag's Leap then finally the 06 Cab.  The Stag's Leap Cab (Note: Stag's Leap is an area of land in Napa, along with a winery, this Stag's Leap comes from grapes grown in the Stag's Leap area, not from a different winery, although that would be interesting.) and the 06 Cab were our favorites.  The 98 Cab was very smooth and earthy but a little too earthy for our tastes. 

And by earthy, I mean dirt.  

Now, I love me some dirt, but sometimes you just want to study it, not drink it.

The most interesting observation from this tasting was after tasting the four wines, we went back to taste the Pinot. The Pinot smelled and tasted like maple syrup.  You never would have tasted the maple syrup-ness of it until you tasted all the Cabs with their bold earthyness flavors. 

Below is a picture of the fireplace and dining table that we enjoyed our wines.  Such a wonderful and cozy place to enjoy wine...now I just need to figure out how to discreetly take this 12 foot table home with me.  Just kidding, Mr. Mondavi. I'll just come visit you every time I need a rustic living/dining room fix.

Wine: Mondavi Zinfandel

We went to Safeway one day to get a whole gaggle of groceries. We had nothing but lasagna noodles and no tomato based products of any kind. We were eating stale crackers. So, clearly the logical next step is to get food. Real food. Healthy food.

Instead, we bought the world's largest jug o' wine (and some gouda and reduced fat wheat thins, which by the way, satisfies all the food groups.)
It doesn't look it, but this is a big jug. Luckily it was a good big jug of wine. Because you'd hate to toss an entire 2L of wine down the drain. It's just not right.

[3.64 stars]
This wine has boatloads of raspberry and cherry flavors. It doesn't have the bitey bite (yes, that is a technical term) that we like, but the flavor was good, especially for the 2L size. And you know what, it was good the entire time that it was sitting on our counter.

on another note ~

Oh yes...and you what?!?! This is my 100th post! Fitting that it's just about 1 year since I started AND it's a post about wine. Mmm, wine. Thank you for reading the 100 times I've babbled on the internet.

I really I like when other blogs celebrate their milestone posts with a recap of 100 things about them or 100 reasons to love their blog. I'll get to that...just not on this particular day. That takes time and thought. I'll have to prepare.

numero dos: Mondavi

[a dining room turned tasting room]
[inside the Mondavi compound looking back at the entrance]

[i used to label corn like this....only it didn't look so cool]

[the vines]

[st. francis at the entrance - this st. francis however, doesn't share the same likeness as my 4th grade halloween costume...yes that's right I was St. Francis. I'm so cool, my mom pinned my stuffed animals onto my sleeves. ]

We were attempting to go to Stag's Leap next and we never found it, instead we hit the jackpot of all jackpot highways on the way to St. Helena. (And just in case you visit St. Helena and don't want to sound like an outsider, it's pronounced St. he LEE na, not helena, like we said all day.) This highway had more well known vineyards on it than I've ever seen. It was great. Mondavi was the first one we came to. We walked around the grounds but did not do any wine tasting. Partly we needed lunch, but partly, although beautiful, it seemed a bit too commercial - a big box store - type of vineyard. I do love my big box stores, don't get me wrong, however, not in the case of a vineyard. I like them quaint and charming.

This highway to St. Helena is truly a fabulous road to take. St. Helena is a great little town and every vineyard on the road looks amazing. We ate lunch in St. Helena at a cute little Italian spot that was good. Anything may have been tasty by 2:30 and in terrible need of ice water, but it was a good spot, whatever it's name was.

The Mondavi family is very interesting to me. A book on my list to read is the House of Mondavi, since i would like to learn more about the fathers of Napa. I don't know much about them now, but once I get done with book 3 and 4 of the Twilight series, I'll be sure to fill you in.