2019 Robert Mondavi The Estates Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

This wine has proved to be one of Napa's longest-lived reds, capable of cellaring many decades. If its nose is characteristically reticent, that is to be expected, but the upfront appeal of the vintage shows in the vivid ripe cherry and boysenberry fruit aromas that are laced with vanilla, graphite and cedar. Expansive on the palate with energy and poise, showcasing red and black fruits, savoury herbs, brown spices, and a crushed stone salinity. Very fine, pixelated tannins resolve in a long spicy finish that builds with notes of chocolate and crushed flowers.

97 points  Jonathan Cristaldi decanter.com September 2022

Throws off some pretty gorgeous aromas of violet, anise and sweet bay leaf, with a core of ripe, streamlined boysenberry and blackberry pate de fruit flavors following closely. The finish has a racy graphite edge, while the fruit and aromas just spill through. Approachable now, too. Drink now through 2034.

94 points James Molesworth winespectator.com November  2021

Almost entirely from To Kalon (there's 3% from the former Franciscan property), the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon The Estates Oakville is composed of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% each Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec and 1% Merlot. It's a deeper, earthier wine than the Stags Leap version, with loam notes joining plum and dark chocolate. Full-bodied, plush and velvety, it finishes long, with softly dusty tannins.

During my visit to the historic Robert Mondavi Winery, it was a treat to finally meet incoming Director of Winemaking Sally Johnson Blum, after knowing her (virtually) for a long time as Pride Mountain Sally, where she previously worked for 15 years. Rather than go over the winery's entire range or re-taste wines I'd previously reviewed based on my tastings at the Napa Valley Vintners, we just looked at a few recent mid-range Cabernet Sauvignons and Fumé/Sauvignon Blancs. Against the backdrop of an empty barrel hall and winery—the production facility is undergoing an extensive renovation this year, and demolition was slated to start the following day—we spent more of our allotted time in the winery's 440 acres of the historic To Kalon Vineyard. Director of Vineyard Operations Blake Wood, recently hired away from Andy Beckstoffer's grape-growing empire, gave us a tour of the property. The Mondavi portion is planted to approximately 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc and 4% Sauvignon Blanc, with smaller proportions planted to Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Sémillon. This year, it's been certified organic. Fruit from specific blocks is farmed for and dedicated to other brands under the Constellation corporate umbrella, like Schrader (made by Thomas Rivers Brown) and The To Kalon Vineyard Company (made by Andy Erickson).

93 points Joe Czerwinski robertparker.com