Emblem Wines
The Michael Mondavi Family is built on four generations of winemaking history, and we’ve channeled it to bring you a comprehensive portfolio of world-class wines.
The Mondavi family has always championed Cabernet Sauvignon as Napa Valley’s premier grape. Emblem represents the continuation of this visionary commitment and the passing of the torch to the next generation of the Michael Mondavi family.
Under the Emblem label, siblings Rob Mondavi Jr. and Dina Mondavi have collaborated to produce two standout Cabernets. The first wine is a distinct Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from the family’s Oso Vineyard (nestled between Ink Grade and Howell Mountain)—it’s age-worthy and structured, with palpable tannins in its finish. The second wine is a more approachable, softer Cabernet blend crafted from several worthy locations across Napa Valley.
"The Forgotten Wine"
In 2014 we moved our cellar. Sadly, the 2013 Single Vineyard Oso Sauvignon Blanc was mysteriously lost. Last month while physically inspecting the family library and we came across 2 pallets of wine which were not on the inventory sheet. We careful unwrapped the two pallets and found our long lost treasure! We were excited and frustrated, as normally 7 year old Sauvignon Blanc is tired. However, I had high hopes as the great whites of France from the Loire and Bordeaux can age for decades in perfect harmony. Our single vineyard Emblem Sauvignon Blanc is epic!!! The wine is fresh, vibrant and alive, with flavors of lime, nectarine and firm pineapple and gooseberry, yet why? We harvested these grapes early, preserving the freshness and acidity and therefore today we have a stunning wine that is perfect your summer enjoyment.
Petite Sirah (“Peh-teet sear-ah”) (aka Durif or Petite Syrah) was first found growing in France in the mid-1800’s. It’s loved for its extraordinary deep color and full-bodied flavors of blueberry, chocolate, plums and black pepper. Despite its popularity, Petite Sirah is an exceptionally rare grape with less than 10,000 planted acres worldwide, growing mainly in California.
The grapes for our Emblem 2012 Oso Vineyard Petite Sirah were harvested from our family’s Oso Vineyard. Planted on slopes rising up from Swartz Creek, it is nestled between Sugarloaf and Howell Mountains in Napa Valley, where the historic Oat Hill Mine Road begins its ascent over the mountain toward Calistoga. The 2012 Emblem Petite Sirah is barrel aged for 20 months. Blueberry and huckleberry aspects bring the fruit forward, without taking over the rich tannins and lean oak characteristics.
Sean Connery, arguably the best actor to portray James Bond, imbued the character with a sense of style,intelligence, strength, masculinity and longevity. Much like Connery's Bond, the 2012 Emblem Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon as a muscularity of structure, a violet-meets-blueberry aromatic with intense fruit characters, and anise and espresso on the palate that remind one that it's sometimes better to be shaken than stirred. It's aged to perfection & drinking beautifully at the moment.
