What: Teri and I had just gotten home from a three-week trip and we wanted something simple but good for dinner, and we were too worn out to cook. So we picked up a pizza.
We also wanted a good wine, but we didn’t want to drink a wine we’d be analyzing and comparing. We just wanted a simple, good-tasting wine that would complement the pizza.
We chose a 2010 Robert Mondavi Private Selection Zinfandel. It was the perfect choice.
When you pay under $15 for a wine you just want a nice, pleasant taste, something that will enhance the food. As always, Mondavi overdelivered.
The wine was soft and smooth, but with plenty of backbone to stand up to the spices and tomato sauce in the pizza. It’s a zesty, fruity wine with a velvety mouthfeel. There are lots of fruit flavors, predominantly blackberry and raspberry, with dashes of black pepper.
For a wine at this price it had a surprisingly long, round finish.
The wine is 80% Zinfandel, 12% Syrah, 6% Petit Sirah and 2% Chardonnay from the Central Coast region of California. The grapes were grown in Paso Robles(65%), Santa Barbara County (18%), Monterey County (15%) and Valley South (2%),
Private Selection wines are the mid-level Mondavi wines. Woodbridge is the entry point and Robert Mondavi Winery is the high end label.
Private seletion showcases fruit from the north and central coast regions
Created to celebrate the divrsity of California’s wine growing reions. Sourced from vineyards ideally suited for each variety. They also make Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Meritage, Syrah, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio and Riesling.
The Private Selection wines were introduced in 1994, featuring primarily California’s north and central coast grapes at a moderate price.
The California wine industry owes more to Robert Mondavi than anyone else. He put Napa Valley on the map with his belief that it could grow world-class grapes. He believed appreciation of wine, food and art led to a more gracious lifestyle.
In 1966 he built the first modern winery in Napa since Prohibition. It is still one of the most popular stops in the valley for those wanting a basic tour that explains how wine is made.
From: California
Cost: $10.99
Year: 2010
