I bought three half bottles upon release. Either my particular shipment was cooked, or this isn't a very good wine for my palate.

My first half bottle was in 1996 and the second yesterday. On both occassions it was complex aromatically, but the fruit seemed diluted, slightly acidic and the finish was very short. Not much of a mid-palate either.

I also have a mag, and if my .375 is representative of Mondavi Reserve, I think I'll just sell it for the $225 they're going for nowadays and replace with a bottle of '94 Dominus or two bottles of '94, '95 or '96 Pahlmeyer merlot.

I also have a mag of the '91. Can anyone tell me if the '90 and '91 have similar flavors?

P.S. I have noticed that I am sensitive to acidity in wines. The Bordeaux I have like have always been from low acid years and fruit forward like 1989 and 1990. Is the Mondavi particularly acidic? California Cabs that I have loved lately are '92 and '94 Dalla Valle, '92 Peter Michael Les Pavots, '94 Caymus, Beringer Merlots, Phelps Insignia '94 and '97, and my favorite all time wine is the '89 La Mission Haut Brion...so that's my palate. The '89 Lynch Bages used to be high on my list, but 3 years ago and again last year I didn't like it as well as upon release. P.S. the Mondavi's came out of my same cellar as all the others I've listed that I liked.

man, I'm tired of people bashing Mondavi. Mondavi makes good wine and most of the time price them well. give the guy a break.

MikeS, no offense intended. The question remains: did I have bad bottles, or does my palate have a particular adversity to Mondavi Reserve? Practical question regarding whether to sell what I have in Mag and 750 or not...

I assume from you post that others have posted similarly disappointing tasting notes, and this irritates you because.....

Dunn, I'd guess your bottles were somehow damaged. The 1990 Mondavi Reserve is a rich, complex wine just approaching its prime. I'm sorry to hear of your disappointment.

Just one more sip.

Try another bottle if you have one.

Dunn: I would say that they were damaged in some way also, as I have enjoyed this vintage on many occasions.
MikeyS: Why should anyone give a break to a winery that, ever since Bob Mondavi turned over control to his sons, screws up great grapes again and again ( albeit with some exceptions ) and yet persists in expanding the company and charging ridiculous prices. The 90 Reserve was $25.00 or so at the Wine Club about a decade ago. About 5 years ago, it was about $60.00 at Mondavi's Tasing room. Last year, I saw it at $150.00, I believe, in the same tasting room. Have you tried recent Mondavi pinots? Nothing near what they used to do. This is not bashing, just a statement of facts. I have met Bob Mondavi on many occasions and he is a great guy, and he and my father were quite good friends back in the sixties, hence my wish that things will get back to when they made some of the finest wines in the world. But at this very moment? No way.

from my own experiences I have always enjoyed Mondavi's wines. I have not yet to experince his Pinot Noir yet though... The reason why I'm defending him is because it seems like it has become "fashionable" to bash him (like people do with California chardonnay). If you dislike his wine from expereince then its different. I guess I'm just abit defensive because I know many people that bash different wineries without ever even tasting them first.

I concur with you there, that people do that for some reason.....BUT, the Mondavi situation is a sad one to me. Still, I try to tell it as I see it. I hope that they will revive their reputation, but I really doubt it.....

I have to agree with GMT (sadly). Those that have older vintages (hi - Board-O ) can see how great they used to be. I think Mondavi is now over rated and has some star power that is keeping them afloat. Sadly, this problem has happened to other California "blue chip" wineries. Look at BV and my (tears in eyes) beloved Heitz.

At least Montelena has not stumbled yet. I just gripe at them about their prices

Yes, I think I'll try a 750 before deciding what to do with the two mags ('90 and '91).

I'm beginning to suspect that the four half bottles I bought were damaged in transit to the wine store. I'm sure the larger formats were not purchased at the same time, and therefore different shipping conditions.

I hope you guys are right because these two vintages along with '94 and '87 have received such accolades.

1990 Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon: Stood up for 4 hours, no seepage, cork came out in tact, poured from the bottle slowly for sediment. Beautiful deep purple color with subtle bricking. The nose on this wine is quite nice with red pepper really standing out, dark fruits, rhubarb, mushroom, wet soil, subtle tobacco notes and an interesting nuttiness that showed up after an hour or so. On the palate there is a serious red pepper/spice note, plum, cassis, still noticable, slightly sweet tannins and still good acidity. 30 second finish. Great sentimental value in celebraiton of the life of Robert Mondavi, but also an outstanding wine. 92 pts.