Time.  Does anyone really have enough of it??

Hello and welcome to Fluid Occasions, a podcast series designed to help busy tech-savvy professionals educate themselves on quality wines and get recommendations on which ones give you the biggest bang for your buck.  My name is Patrick and I’ll be your host as we master a multi-faceted topic – as efficiently as possible!

Please keep in mind that the text versions of these podcasts are available on the website at FluidOccasions.com on the Chapters tab.

I have to start today by acknowledging that Ernest Gallo died on Tuesday, March 6th at the age of 97.  This guy was an absolute pioneer in the California wine business and built the world’s biggest wine-producing company after getting started in 1933 with less than $6000.  The company now sells an estimated 75 million cases of wine each year.  According to CNN, Gallo died peacefully in Berkeley California surrounded by his family.

Okay, moving forward, let me throw in another sidebar here and offer some clarification.  I am NOT a wine expert, nor do I pretend to be.  I’m a Mortgage Banker by trade but I love good wines and plan to BECOME an expert on quality wines.  It’s a 2007 goal and I’ve decided to go through the process in full public view, hence this podcast.  I’ve bought books and subscribed to a variety of wine information services.  I’m doing the research.  That’s what I do best.  And you’re invited along for the ride.

Again, my stated objective is to get you the tactical guidance and critical information you need as quickly and as easily as possible.  That’s the information I want.  And that’s the information I’m offering YOU, all in about 8 minutes a week.  This is NOT some pretentious hoity toidy education series.  This is NOT a high-brow theoretical discussion.  This is tactical usable information, TODAY.

And speaking of today, we’ll be reviewing the Robert Mondavi 2002 Oakville District Cabernet Sauvignon.  Here’s another great value.  This label received a 91 rating from Wine & Spirits.  Now, the average 2000-2002 cabernet sauvignon with a 91 rating costs $80 according to QPRWines.  So guess what this wine costs.  The average is $80.  This wine?  $30!  That’s right – less than half price.  Actually, it’s just $29.99 and I’ve got a link on the website (that’s FluidOccasions.com) to where you can order it directly.  In fact, it’s on sale right now, down from $39.99 so this is a great time to pick up a couple bottles.

Let’s start with some background about basic wine production.  When grapes ripen, their sugar content increases and their level of acidity declines.  The trick is to harvest them at the perfect time when the two are properly balanced, and that balance depends on the variety being produced.  Then, during the fermentation process, the sugar turns into alcohol so you end up with a balance between acidity and alcohol.  Generally speaking, the higher the alcohol content, the lower the acidity.  The lower the alcohol content, the higher the acidity.

So let’s take a look at cabs in particular.  They originated in the Bordeaux region of southwest France but they’re now grown in a variety of regions across the world.  The Sonoma and Napa valleys are well known to produce excellent cabs.  The soil is rich and it drains well.  That allows the roots to grow deeper, resulting in more complex flavors.  Cabernet Sauvignon is world renowned as the most elegant and long-lasting red wine and California’s Napa valley is considered one of the top ranks internationally.

Of all the varieties of grapes, Cabernet grapes generally command the highest price too.  So the wineries up in Napa and Sonoma (and around the world, by the way) have an incentive to grow Cab grapes if their land and climate allow it.  Problem is, few regions are perfectly suited for Cab grapes and we’re lucky to have some of the best Cabs in the world being produced right here in our own backyard.

Cabs tend to be a bit rough and dry early on.  But after about 5 years, they smooth out and get more fruity.  You’ll notice the 2002 Mondavi cab we’re reviewing today is 5 years old right NOW.  And for a well-made cab, the next 10 years continues to add smoothness and flavor.  Most of the best cabs are blended with small amounts of other grapes which add additional complexities.  That’s the case with this one as well.  The Mondavi Oakville District cab is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Cabernet Franc and 2% Merlot.  It’s aged for 16.5 months in small French oak barrels with 75% new oak in the blend.

The Oakville District of Napa Valley has produced Napa Valley's most sought after Cabernet Sauvignons for 130 years and Robert Mondavi has been producing Oakville District Cabs for about 50 years.  They use a lot of special techniques with this wine, all designed to maximize clarity and flavor, and the gentle approach allows them to bottle this cab without filtration, retaining its complex flavors and long aging potential.  In other words, be prepared for a big rich wine and don’t be in a rush to open the bottle.  You can let this one sit for years!

Don’t serve this wine with cheese and crackers.  This one’s best with big rich meals like Rack of Lamb, Filet Mignon, or Grilled Flank Steak.

Let’s hear a couple reviews from Wine.com.  From Akron OH, one contributor writes:

This wine is fantastic! If you’re a Robert Mondavi fan and like the Reserve but not the price, this is a great substitute that carries the same characteristics.

Lloyd down in Texas writes:

I receive Mondavi wines under their bimonthly program, and the 2002 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon was sent some time ago. I served it for a graduation celebration and all who tasted raved about the nose, the smoothness and great flavors, and especially a wonderful finish. My whole stock went when one guest raved to another. I am buying a lot more.

This is a great wine at a great price.  My advice?  Go buy some.

Okay, so if you like what you hear so far on this podcast, please tell a friend about it.  Technology like podcasts can help elevate new and innovative thinkers but we all have to play our part to help spread the word for those who deserve our endorsements.  If I am deserving of yours, my thanks.

See you next time for Chapter 3.  We’ll be reviewing the Newton 2004 Unfiltered Chardonnay.  If any of you have tried it in the past, please visit the website – again, it’s FluidOccasions.com – and submit a review on the Contact page.  I’ll read two of them during next week’s podcast.

Until then, work hard, live well and drink safely.  Bye for now.