My experience with Robert Mondavi’s various wineries goes back many vintages. And, I can say that I’ve never had a negative experience with any of their wines, whether they were from the main estate, from Woodbridge, or from their joint venture with Baron Philippe de Rothschild, Opus One. Regarding the latter, I’ve been fortunate to enjoy a number of vintages. And, I’m happy to report that the streak is in-tact. While I’ll say up front that Woodbridge’s 2010 California sauvignon blanc would not be my first choice at this price point, because it’s not necessarily my style of sauvignon blanc, it does represent a great value.
The wine is not 100% sauvignon blanc. Woodbridge blends a bit of French colombard and semillon, along with small percentages of a few other obscure white varietals. However, the wine is 76% sauvignon blanc and this, according to California law, enables the wine to be classified as sauvignon blanc.
On the nose the wine offers sweet lemon-lime and crisp apple. It’s an aromatic nose, and quite attractive, but it lacks some of the intensity that you might find in a southern hemisphere sauvignon blanc. However, some zingier traits emerge on the nose as the wine opens and warms.
The first taste activates a broad area of the palate. This usually indicates a well-balanced and complex wine. More sour apple and lemon-lime are available on the palate; but, the real story here is the acidity, or I should say the lack-there-of. It’s not that this wine is devoid of acid. There is sufficient acid here to adequately balance the wine. But many value priced sauvignon blancs from alternative geographies are offering more power and intensity at similar price points, and, I believe they are also raising the bar for what consumers will expect out of this varietal. That said, this more elegant style, eschewing acid and intensity for graceful fruit and softer mouth-feel, is indicative of Mondavi’s various interpretations of the varietal. In the tasting notes, Woodbridge claims a zingier style, but my guess is that you will disagree with their claim. 2010 saw mild conditions in Lodi, where the fruit is sourced, along with slightly higher rainfall and cooler temperatures. We will definitely revisit the 2011 to see if the style remains consistent, or Mother Nature has handicapped the 2010.
We’re really mincing details here, mostly because it’s Robert Mondavi’s legacy we’re talking about. This is a good wine for the money and, as mentioned, a great value. If your style is more elegance than intensity, this is your wine.
A Salute!
Wine: Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi
Variety: Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2010
Alcohol: 13%
Rating: 86
Price: $7.99
Find Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi 2010 Sauvignon Blanc with Snooth
Disclosure: This wine was received as a sample.