Robert Mondavi Private Selection Cabernet Sauvignon

Robert Mondavi's California Cabernet Sauvignon is built on Cabernet Sauvignon, and the expected profile is dark fruit: blackcurrant, black cherry and plum, with a touch of oak spice and a rounded, balanced structure. Styles like this usually have medium-full body, moderate tannins that are firm enough to give grip but not so aggressive that the wine needs years to settle, and enough acidity to keep the fruit from tasting heavy. Expect oak influence to show up as subtle notes of vanilla, cedar or baking spice rather than overt toasty char, and a finish of medium length that carries the fruit and a little of that spice. This is a bottle meant to be opened soon, not cellared. California Cabernet at this tier is typically made for drinking within a few years of release, so there is no need to wait for it to develop. If you want it to show its best straight away, pour it into a decanter or simply a large glass about 20 to 30 minutes before serving. The brief airing softens the tannins and lets the fruit and oak come forward. Heavy decanting for sediment is not usually a concern with wines in this style. Serve it at roughly 16 to 18°C (60 to 65°F), which is slightly cooler than a warm room. If the bottle has been sitting at room temperature in a heated house, 15 minutes in the refrigerator before opening brings it back into range and keeps the alcohol from tasting hot. A large-bowled Bordeaux-style red wine glass suits it best, since the wide bowl gives the aromas room to open and directs the wine toward the center of the palate, where the fruit and tannin are best balanced. At the table, the tannin and dark fruit call for foods with fat and savory depth. Grilled ribeye, strip steak and lamb chops are the classic matches, as the protein and fat soften the tannins. Burgers with aged cheddar, braised short ribs, roasted mushrooms and hard cheeses such as aged Gouda or Manchego also work well. It is less suited to delicate fish or very spicy dishes, where the tannin and oak can dominate.