An Afternoon of Drinking with Rob Mondavi Jr

Drinking bubbles with Rob Mondavi Jr in Naples

I recently was privileged to spend an afternoon drinking wine with Rob Mondavi Jr., winemaker at for the family's Michael Mondavi Family Estates in Napa Valley, California.

We tasted through his current releases at The Continental on the famous 3rd Street South in Naples, Fl, over an amazing array of food.

During the course of the tasting Rob sat with us telling stories of the vineyard, the fires, the wines in our glasses and even through the tragic tales, there were lots of laughs. It was also the most beautiful afternoon in Southwest Florida and since we had also shared our mutual love for bubbles, there was no escaping a bottle.

Walking across the street to Sea Salt, where Rob had a wine dinner scheduled later that night, we ordered a bottle of Schramsberg before calling it a day.

Read about Rob's current releases with Michael Mondavi Family Estate and which wines survived the fire here.
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Wine Wednesday, Merlot

The last couple of Wine Wednesday selections have been about items new to me and  also the area in which I live. And while I usually just pick just one wine, today I've decided to pick one grape; two bottles.

I like to experiment so when I looked on my counter this week and saw two bottles of merlot (when I typically have none), I decided to try them side by side. I thought it would be especially fun since they appeared to be so different, at least geographically; one from Chile, the other from California.

First up was Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi. This was exactly what I expected from an entry level California merlot. It was juicy with lots of plums and some vanilla. The wine was smooth and went down the hatch easily. A good wine for your Memorial Day cookout, especially considering the price; in the $10 and under range.



I've tried a few of the Casillero del Diablo wines but never the Merlot. This one comes from Chile and I could immediately taste a difference. While still full of lush dark fruit, this one was more herbal, a common characteristic of Chilean wines. I also tasted some cocoa. There was a bit more structure and it costs a few more dollars; but only a few. Another good choice for holiday grilling!

Both wines are good values and easy to find. Perhaps you have done similar experiments? Let me know! Cheers!

Pinot In The Park

While the weather this time of year can be uncertain and even uncomfortable in many areas of the county, it is the season those of us in South Florida have longed for; lower humidity and cool breezes capped with warm sunshine.

Seizing an opportunity to sit outside without breaking a sweat, I took some time to enjoy the fresh air with a silky bottle of Pinot Noir; 2010 Robert Mondavi Reserve, Carneros ($60). 

The grapes were handpicked from 40-year-old vines; low yields, high quality. They were then nurtured during the fermentation process to get delicate, yet full flavors; a nice balance. I loved the layers of dark fruit, spice and tannins. This wine reminds me of why I like Pinot Noir so much.

Each sip got better and better, especially with picnic goodies like brie and pate. It was the perfect wine to linger over, stretched out on the cool grass; peacefully watching people who were also enjoying their day along the bay.