M by Michael Mondavi

Napa Valley, California

The Mondavi family name and spirit have been intertwined with Napa Valley for four generations. M by Michael Mondavi Family expresses the family’s deep experience with Napa's vineyards and varieties through a proprietary red blend that showcases the best fruit from top vineyard blocks each vintage.

Tasting Notes

Aromas of fresh French plum with notes of roasted hazelnut are at the core of the bouquet. On the palate, a medium body and soft textures mingle with delicate and refined flavors of dark red fruits and orchard blossoms to offer a seamless finish to this elegant and opulent wine.

2018 a mild growing season that led to overall high quality and quantity. Harvest took place October 17 25.

Sustainably farmed, volcanic hillside vineyard located on the slope of Atlas Peak, overlooking Napa Valley. The select vine blocks produce smaller clusters and grapes that naturally provide ample intensity of color, tannins, and texture.

Varietals: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 16% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot
Aging: French oak, 60% new, for 20 months
Alcohol: 14.9 %
TA: 5.9 g/L
pH: 3.75
Barrels Produced: 17

Tasting Notes

Linear and precise, the 2016 M by Michael Mondavi opens with expressive aromas of quince, plum, juniper, cassis, blackberry & dark roasted coffee beans. With time and swirls of air, notes of dried rose petals, coriander, cinnamon and clove develop. This wine enters the palate with subtle tannins at first, and soon broadens into a silky expanse of vanilla bean, cocoa, roasted dates, black cherry, and orange blossom tea. The evolution of flavors continues with candied figs,bramble-berry, and cocoa-coveredstrawberries. Enticing and enjoyable now, additional cellaring will surely allow further detail and refinement to develop.

The near-perfect 2016 growing season started early, saw ideal weather conditions throughout, and wrapped up right as the valley's first significant fall rainstorm arrived on October 14. Thanks to a steadily mild July and August and then a series of warm days at the end of the growing season, vineyards were able to progress to perfect ripeness, resulting in a fifth consecutive vintage of stellar quality Napa Valley wines.

The grapes came into the winery early in the morning and were gently transferred into our gentle and precise Pellencde-stemmer. The berries were then moved into small tanks and allowed to settle for one day prior to commencing fermentation. Press began and we opted for a short maceration time since the small, mountain berries naturally provide ample intensity of color, tannins, and texture. And, finally, into barrels the wine went to capture the delicate influence of oak while preserving the nuances of the fruit and vineyard.

The grapes harvested for M by Michael Mondavi grow at the crest of our hillside vineyard on Atlas Peak overlooking the expanse of Napa Valley. In this special section, the vines produce smaller clusters and berries resulting in a richer, plush wine. In the years working this vineyard, we have come to intimately know the volcanic terroir of this piece of land, and are proud to present each year its very best expression of the Bordeaux grape varieties that we planted here.

BLEND: 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec AGING: 65% new French oak for 21 months, 35% neutral French oak ALCOHOL: 14.9 %; TA 5.9 g/L; pH 3.73 CASES PRODUCED: 396

  • 98

    points

    Jeb Dunnuck, February 2023

    "I was blown away by the 2018 M by Michael Mondavi, an incredible wine based on 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 16% Merlot, and the rest Petit Verdot. Deep, full-bodied, and opulent, yet with perfect balance and a seamless, layered mouthfeel, it has beautiful darker fruits, notes of leafy herbs and chocolate, perfectly integrated oak, and silky tannins. This majestic, flat-out awesome wine will evolve for 20+ years."

    Close Review

    Read Full Review

  • 91

    points

    Wine Enthusiast, October 2022

    "Sweet-seeming oak aromas of vanilla and chocolate lead to broad, generous berries and dark plums on the palate of this full-bodied, softly tannic wine. It's big but gentle, and easy to appreciate."

    Close Review

    Read Full Review

  • 93

    points

    Wine Spectator, October 2022

    "A ripe, polished style, with currant, plum and blackberry preserves lined with mocha-accented toast, sweet tobacco and melted licorice. Stays reserved in feel overall and relies a bit on the toast, but there's ample fruit in reserve. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best from 2023 through 2034. "

    Close Review

    Read Full Review

  • 95

    points

    James Suckling, September 2022

    "Classy cabernet characters with red chili pepper, cassis and tobacco with some cocoa powder, incense and fine spices to the ripe plum and blackberries. Refined and precise, with a medium to full body teeming with blackberries. A natural, supple acidity is rounded by plenty of dusty tannins, Shows restraint and elegance in its long, subtle finish. Drink now."

    Close Review

    Read Full Review

  • 94-96+

    points

    Lisa Perotti-Brown, Wine Advocate, October 2018

    "A barrel sample, the 2016 M by Michael Mondavi is a final blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot and 2% Malbec—this is no longer a Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep garnet-purple colored, it sings of fresh blackcurrants, black cherries and red and black plums with hints of cigar boxes, incense, truffles and cardamom with a touch of cloves. Medium to full-bodied, firm, grainy and lively, with bags of elegance and finesse. To be bottled in January 2019."

    Close Review

    Read Full Review

  • 95

    points

    James Suckling, May 2019

    "Although this is very ripe and deep and there is a hint of bitter chocolate, the fresh plum and blackberry character reigns supreme in the nose. Rich and concentrated, but with full, plush tannins that carry this extravagance beautifully. It gently builds to a long and discreetly dry finish with plenty of chocolate and some mineral notes. A blend of 58 percent cabernet sauvignon, 30 percent cabernet franc, five percent merlot, five percent petit verdot and two percent malbec. Drink now or hold."

    Close Review

    Read Full Review

  • 96

    points

    James Suckling, February 2019

    "Aromas of blueberries, blackberries, blackcurrants and black licorice. Lavender and sage, too. Medium to full body and firm, really fine tannins that are well crafted and pretty, giving a refined and thorough finish. Dialed-in. A blend of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and merlot and a dash of petit verdot and malbec. Better in 2021, but already beautiful."

    Close Review

    Read Full Review

TRADE & MEDIA ASSETS /////////////////

2018 M by Michael Mondavi – 95 points, James Suckling – Shelftalker

M by Michael Mondavi – Brochure

2018 M by Michael Mondavi – 98 points, Jed Dunnuck – Sales Sheet

2018 M by Michael Mondavi – Sales Sheet

2018 M by Michael Mondavi – Beauty

M by Michael Mondavi – Label – 2018 & After

M by Michael Mondavi – Bottle – 2018 & After

2018 M by Michael Mondavi Vintage Notes

2016 M by Michael Mondavi Vintage Notes

M by Michael Mondavi – Label – 2016 & Prior

M by Michael Mondavi – Bottle – 2016 & Prior