Rising 1,650 feet above the Napa Valley floor on the southwest side of Howell Mountain, the Mondavi family estate vineyard producing the grapes for this wine sits above the fog line during the growing season. The distinctive climate, along with volcanic and iron-rich red soils, produces fruit with great balance and intensity. At release this wine shows vanilla, blackberry, roasted Anaheim chili, mineral and cured black olive on the nose. The wine is full-bodied with flavors of plum and horehound, with a touch of flint and firm tannins on a long, viscous finish.

A pretty nose of black fruit, dark cherries, leather, cloves, cedar and tobacco. It’s full-bodied with fine tannins and fresh acidity. Fruity and creamy with a flavorful finish. Plenty of chocolate and hazelnut in the aftertaste. Better after 2023.

From an inky-dark color to intense black-fruit aromas to mouth-coating blueberry and dark chocolate flavors, this concentrated and polished wine is a showstopper. Layers of soft, fine-grained tannins support the deep, dried-fruit flavors and generous, cocoa-laced oak accents.