By Duane Pemberton

Fewer names are more synonymous with California Cab than Robert Mondavi and for good reason. Mondavi’s history and involvement with getting California wine and Cab “on the world’s radar” have become a hallmark of appreciation by the entire USA wine industry.

Although I’ve had my own personal misgivings with the snobbery my wife and I faced while visiting Mondavi around 5 years ago, I won’t let that cloud my judgement of this wine and what it brings to the table. Frankly, I was happy to review this wine to see what all the hype is about in regards to it always being such a sought-after Cab by many.

Technical Data:

Fruit: Varietal blend: 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec

Brix at harvest: 26.3º

TA: .63%

ph: 3.59

Alcohol: 15.3%

Price: $28

Nose: Dark cherries, peppered raspberries, vanilla, the heal of a sneaker, leather straps, dark chocolate and some medicine cabinet.

Taste: This is a cab that thoroughly coats your palate with a multitude of layers – chocolate cake, tar, tobacco, black cherries, black pepper and raspberries. It has a good mouthfeel, decent acids and is overall a rather food-friendly wine. What kills it for me, however, is the current price it’s at compared to cabs that represent a better retail value – the likes of which are mainly from Washington State. If, however, you want a solid Napa Cab experience from a legacy brand like Mondavi, this isn’t a bad bottle at all. If it were below $20, it’d be a far easier recommendation.

W.E.P. Rating: 85%

On the web: www.robertmondavi.com

By Duane Pemberton

The 4th of July here in America invokes visions of grilled burgers, hot-dogs and fried chicken. Toss in the obligatory sides of potato-salad, macaroni salad, baked beans, watermelon and other goodies – you have the makings for a natural pairing with Rose’ wine. Here are a three of my picks for this weekend – they are made in the good ol’ USA and also all happen to be from California.

2009 “Crusher” Rose by Don Sebastini & Sons – W.E.P. 120%

Technical Data:

Blend: 83% Pinot Noir, 13% Viognier, 4% Malbec

ph: 3.65

TA: 52/100ml

Alcohol: 13.5%

Price: $14

Nose: Cherries, watermelon, cranberry, red twizzlers, bubble-gum and white pepper.

Taste: Nice melon action up-front that has stellar notes of watermelon, honeydew and cantelope along with a hint of white pepper. Good mid-palate that brings in an almost bubbly-like aspect. The finish is nice and long – I’d easily hit this with pretty much ANY summertime-fare.

2009 Foppiano Estate Rose – W.E.P. 80%

Technical Data:

• Varietal Composition: 55% Petite Sirah, 45% Pinot Noir
• Appellation: Russian River
• Harvest Date: Pinot- Sept 1 Petite Sirah- Oct. 12
• Acid: 0.65g/100mL
• PH: 3.36
• Bottling Date: April 8, 2010
• Alcohol %: 14.2%
• Price: $15

Nose: Prosciutto-wrapped melon, candied cherries, rhubarb pie and white pepper.

Taste: Strawberries, melon, white pepper and some nice jelly-bean-like flavors coming through for me. Decent mid-palate transition and mouth-feel, however, the finish is a bit too hot for me.

2009 Pedroncelli Dry Rose of Zinfandel – W.E.P. 120%

Technical Data:

• Appellation: Dry Creek Valley
• Composition: 100% Zinfandel
• Alcohol: 13.5%
• Acidity: .600g/100ml
• pH: 3.53
• Residual Sugar: 0.14%
• Price: $10

Nose: Big-time hot-dog smell coming through along with strawberries, raisins, sweaty sock, cranberries and spice.

Taste: Good amounts of strawberry, cherries, raspberries, anise and spice. Mid palate brings in some Oscar-Mayer action with flavors of rhubarb, white pepper and bubble-gum. Good, dry finish that makes this an easy pick for $10.