It’s nice to see more 2012 Napa Cabs starting to roll in as the rather unimpressive 2011s are hopefully beginning to cycle through.  2012 was a banner year, and when you see the Mondavi Cab available for only $19.99 at Costco, it’s certainly worth exploring.

This wine is predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon obviously, but also contains 6% Cabernet Franc, 4% Merlot, 1% Petit Verdot, and 1% Malbec to give it a little Bordeaux blend.  The thing I like about this wine is that a portion of the grapes come from Mondavi’s famed To Kalon vineyard in Oakville where the grapes used to produce their premier wines are also sourced and those wines can fetch several hundred dollars a bottle.  So while the fruit on the $20 bottle is probably originating from the less desirable parts of this vineyard, it still doesn’t seem like a bad buy at all.

Give this one some air to loosen up; I’d recommend an hour decant.  It was really stiff on my initial pour.  The wine begins with herbal aromas; then into dark fruit flavor, full bodied and big; I actually got a touch of vanilla and chocolate as it progressed through the finish.  Some pepper notes, a little spice and subtle oak on the finish.

This is a classic Napa Cab.  It might improve over the next year or two.  But as it stands now, it’s a solid $20 Costco wine buy.  Look around.  This one is priced upwards of $30 elsewhere.

CostcoWineBlog.com Rating: 88 Points

Costco item number: 64819