Robert Mondavi Winery, To Kalon Vineyard Fumé Blanc – Elegant and Harmonious

Fumé blanc is another way to say sauvignon blanc.  It’s the same grape, just another name.  Perhaps a more elegant or exotic sounding name.  And it just so happens that this is an elegant sauvignon blanc.  But it also happens to be one that is priced above my general target of $20 or less.

The grapes for this wine come from Robert Mondavi Winery’s To Kalon vineyard in Napa Valley.  They refer to To Kalon as a “first growth” vineyard, which is a translation of the French “Premier Cru” and means that the vineyard is classified as producing wines of exceptional quality.  This is also where Robert Mondavi established his winery in 1966.

This wine offers a harmonious blend of grapefruit, lemon, coconut and mineral aromatics.  The palate is also well-balanced and delicious, bringing flavors like lemon, lime, granny smith apple and flinty mineral.  It’s very dry and not as tropical as many of the sauvignon blancs from New Zealand or Chile.  Vibrant acidity makes this a lively wine.  The finish is nice and long.  It’s a delicious wine.

Wine: Robert Mondavi Winery, To Kalon Vineyard Fumé Blanc
Varieties: Sauvignon blanc, semillon
Vintage: 2010
Alcohol: 14%
Rating: 90
Average price: $42.00
Disclosure: This wine was received as a media sample.