M by Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2007

M is the ultimate expression of Michael Mondavi's lifelong passion for the art of fine winemaking. Michael describes his inspiration for M simply. "Wine has always been my passion," he says. "My winemaking philosophy evolved from a maxim of my grandmother's: 'Make good wine.' By that, she meant wine that invites a second glass and can be enjoyed on its own or with a meal. M provides me with the opportunity to do what I've always loved: make sumptuous, beautifully balanced wines form the finest Napa Valley grapes."

Michael, with his son Rob and winemaker Tony Coltrin, craft the prestigious, limited-production M Cabernet Sauvignon from grapes grown in Michael's Animo Vineyard in the Foss Valley of Atlas Peak, a classic mountain site whose Italian name means "spirit" or "soul." With ideal northwestern and southeastern exposures, Animo's closely spaced, high-elevation vines yield grapes with intensely concentrated, beautifully balanced flavors.

Michael, Rob and Tony carefully ferment this prime fruit and age the wine 22 months in French oak barrels and another year in bottle to fully marry the wine's wonderfully rich, seamless flavors and supple, sculpted tannins. Stylistically reminiscent of the legendary Mondavi cabernets of the late 1960s and early'70s, the luxurious M embodies the spirit of its maker, displaying compelling depth, dynamism, elegance and nobility.

Michael's daughter Dina played an integral role in the visual design of M, working with luxury and fashion designer, Karen Joyce of London and Milan. The beautifully designed label is a graphic representation of vine roots underground, which symbolizes the essence of M - an exceptional wine where its core lies in the foundation, the "terroir."



94 points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate December 2009 The best wine to date that I have tasted under this label is the 2007 M by Michael Mondavi. With a production of 1,000 cases of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged 20-22 months in French oak before bottling, it has the most opaque purple color of the group. The style seems like a Napa version of a Graves wine interwoven with one from St.Estephe. With plenty of distinct loamy soil, earth, and charcoal notes along with pure black currant and plum-like fruit, this wine is dense, full-bodied, still somewhat restrained, but displaying sweet, velvety tannins and impressive texture and length. This is a beauty that should be cellared for 3-4 years and drunk over the next 25-30. 94+