Robert Mondavi Muscat d’Oro

2005 Vintage
Tasted: July 2010
I brought this half bottle home with me from Napa when I visited the Robert Mondavi Winery a few years back. It sat around waiting for a suitable occasion, but I’m afraid to say it was a little neglected, so I just opened it.

Since this is a sweeter late harvest type wine, the additional sugar probably helped keep it alive for the last five years. For a five year old Muscat this one was surprisingly lively.

The nose brings a whiff of honey right away, but on deep sniff, somewhere way at the back of the nose, I get some dill scents. In the mouth it’s all fruit — overripe mushy apple, honey, canned peaches and dried apricots. It’s sweet, but not unbearable. The texture is on the dessert wine side of viscous.

Overall this wine is surprisingly layered and complex and makes for a great aperitif or post dinner wine. I’m not sure how much longer the 2005 vintage will last on the shelf, but by the taste of it, there is likely some shelf life left.