Robert Mondavi Private Selection Vinetta 2005
Price: $9
Maker: Robert Mondavi, Woodbridge, California
Varietal: Blend - 68% Cabernet Sauvginon, 14% Merlot, 11% Petit Verdot, 5% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Franc
Packaging: 750 ml bottle, artificial cork
Alcohol: 13.5%
Our Rating: 8.5 out of 10
Robert Mondavi Private Selection Vinetta 2005 starts with a powerful licorice and berry nose. The flavor of this wine was rounded, fruity, and well-balanced, with cherries and a bit of cocoa leading into a finish that was long, a bit oaky, and slightly acidic. This was a very nice red wine that is supposed to be Bordeaux-style but is probably a bit fruitier than the real appelation. That’s OK with us, as we tend to prefer fruitier wines vs. those that are more mineral in character.
According to the Robert Mondavi Private Selection website, “The wines of Robert Mondavi Private Selection embrace the best characteristics of their distinctive vineyards on California’s coast, where cool fog and ocean breezes create a long growing season that results in grapes of intense flavor concentration.” Sounds fine to us, and it’s borne out at least in part by the pleasant character of this wine.
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November 11th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
I was pleasantly surprised with the wonderful flavor of your 2005 Vinetta. I always look for good value, especially in Bordeaux style blends, and this was spot on. Keep up the good work.