2008 Robert Mondavi Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon

94 points Wine Spectator and #20 in Top 100 Wines of 2011: "A supple, graceful, yet potent and engaging young Cabernet, the proverbial iron fist in a velvet glove. Shows intense, minty bay leaf and dried currant and berry flavors that unfold gracefully, picking up a nice minerally edge as well as tannins that are firm yet graceful and refined. Drink now through 2020." (07/11) 92 points James Suckling: "This is very well done with aromas of berries, fresh mint and licorice. Full body with a spicy palate as well as plenty of fruit and bright acidity. A balanced and well-integrated wine. This can age. Give it a year or two to come together more." (06/15) 91 points Stephen Tanzer: "(93% from To-Kalon fruit): Good bright medium ruby. Aromatic, essence-of-Oakville nose offers black raspberry, cassis, loam, spices, licorice and menthol. Lush but fresh and delineated, with a medicinal minty quality to the cassis and graphite flavors. A bit tough for a 2008, but there's also good underlying sweetness and length here. The wine's serious tannic structure calls for a few years of patience. Will this fatten up in bottle?" (May/Jun 11) According to Robert Parker: "The dense ruby/purple 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville has attractive black currant fruit as well as hints of chocolate and toast. This blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Cabernet Franc is complex, elegant, and reassuring. Medium to full-bodied and pure, it is ideal for drinking over the next decade." (12/10)