Michael Mondavi ‘Emblem’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

This beauty comes from Michael Mondavi and the 2016 miracle vintage. Garnering 98 points from both Wine Spectator and Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, no vintage in Napa has been rated more highly or more age-worthy. 

The 2016 Emblem Cabernet is a stunning cabernet for the price. Plucked from prized parcels high above St. Helena, it delivers the kind of value that Napa used to generate in abundance but hasn’t been able to offer due to such high demand. Of course, as always, the Mondavi Family is the exception to the rule. 

Part of Robert Mondavi’s incredible legacy has been that he always offered a really good affordable cab. Sure the signature “M” by Mondavi like the Opus One gems before it are wine-writer favorites that command big scores, waitlists and $200+ price-tags. But in the “Emblem Cab” Michael and Robert Jr. offer up a $40 cab that still manages to embody all the best qualities in each great vintage. 

From the “miracle” vintage of 2016 comes a big, full-bodied Napa Cab with lush red fruit, dark chocolate notes, and a touch of hazelnut and oak to round it out. With velvet-like tannins and a hint of creme de cassis, it’s textbook, well-made St. Helena Cab. Vintages like 2016 and the fruit it was able to produce in the hands of great winemakers like the Mondavis is a recipe for a killer bottle of Napa Valley Cab. Not to be missed by all Big Red fans.