### 1988 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

BY NEAL MARTIN | JUNE 03, 2024

A vertical of Robert Mondavi Winery’s Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve back to the maiden vintage remains one of the best tastings I have ever participated in. It was one of the few occasions where guests refused to leave because the bottles were so good.

![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/images.vinous.com/uploads%2F1717181361071-robert+mondavi+1988+bottle.jpg)

This **1988 Cabernet Sauvignon**  **Reserve** is a vintage I have not encountered before; I tasted it blind at The Arches at lunch to raise a glass to Harry Gill. I must confess that I initially found the nose a little feral, perhaps with a touch of Brettanomyces. It seems to clarify with aeration with dark, plummy fruit, licorice and peppermint. It just needs a tad more definition. It really comes into its own on the palate, which is quite sweet on the entry. The 1988 shows layers of black fruit laced with orange rind and cassis, with a healthy sprinkling of black pepper at the finish. It coheres beautifully in the glass, and while not quite the heady heights of the late Sixties and early Seventies, this 36-year-old Californian is drinking perfectly. **92** /Drink 2024-2036.

_© 2024, Vinous. No portion of this article may be copied, shared or re-distributed without prior consent from Vinous. Doing so is not only a violation of our copyright, but also threatens the survival of independent wine criticism._



Cellar Favorite: 1988 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

Cellar Favorite: 1988 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (Jun 2024)

ConstantScore(-article_id:{312 381 422 466 735 1092 1114 1146 1208 1209 1210 1231 1235 1241 1242 1245 1249 1258 1261 1276 1283 1298 1302 1312 1321 1325 1338 1601 1734 1980 1998 2164 2193 2198 2268 2425 2529 2566 2825 2994 3120 3140 3371 3977 4341} #producer.id:3318 #article_id:[4134 TO 4134])

DocValuesFieldExistsQuery [field=_primary_term]

Robert Mondavi Winery

Content

Engage

Vinous

Social