1988 Robert Mondavi

Reserve

Cabernet Sauvignon

America / California / Napa Valley

¥31,800
Size:
Quantity:

Availability: 8

1988 Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon – Historic Napa Valley Classic

The 1988 Robert Mondavi Winery Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon represents a chapter in Napa Valley history, crafted at a time when Robert Mondavi was cementing his legacy as a pioneer of California fine wine. This bottling, from the estate’s renowned To Kalon Vineyard in Oakville, showcases both the elegance of aged Napa Cabernet and the visionary style that helped put Mondavi on the global stage.

Tasting Notes

After more than three decades of cellaring, the 1988 Reserve reveals a bouquet of dried cherry, cedarwood, and tobacco leaf, layered with leather, earth, and subtle herbal notes. The palate offers softened tannins, savory red fruit, and tertiary flavors of truffle and spice, leading to a graceful, persistent finish. This wine is drinking at maturity, offering a glimpse into Napa’s golden era.

Winemaking & Vineyard Details

Composed primarily of Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from To Kalon Vineyard, the wine was aged in French oak barrels to build depth and structure. Mondavi’s Reserve wines were designed to rival the best of Bordeaux, emphasizing balance, finesse, and a sense of place—qualities still evident decades later.

Investment & Collectibility

The 1988 Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon holds immense historical value as one of Napa Valley’s iconic library vintages. While not as concentrated as blockbuster years, its longevity and pedigree make it a prized acquisition for collectors of Napa Valley wines and those who appreciate Robert Mondavi’s enduring influence. Perfect for your collection.

Vintage Specifics

The 1988 Napa vintage was cooler and yielded wines of elegance and restraint rather than opulence. Today, these wines offer subtlety, freshness, and the kind of tertiary complexity that appeals to lovers of mature Cabernet Sauvignon.


Explore Related Collections

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Dark ruby, with a light intensity nose of cassis and cigar box aromas, this wine exhibits good concentration, softness, adequate ripeness, and a short finish. It is a medium weight, ready to drink Cabernet Sauvignon that should last for 10-12 years.Reviewed by Robert M. Parker, Jr., Issue date: August 23 1994. Drinking window: 1994 - 2006.

Vinous

This 1988 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is a vintage I have not encountered before; I tasted it blind at The Arches at lunch to raise a glass to Harry Gill. I must confess that I initially found the nose a little feral, perhaps with a touch of Brettanomyces. It seems to clarify with aeration with dark, plummy fruit, licorice and peppermint. It just needs a tad more definition. It really comes into its own on the palate, which is quite sweet on the entry. The 1988 shows layers of black fruit laced with orange rind and cassis, with a healthy sprinkling of black pepper at the finish. It coheres beautifully in the glass, and while not quite the heady heights of the late Sixties and early Seventies, this 36-year-old Californian is drinking perfectly. Reviewed by Neal Martin, Issue date: June 2024. Drinking window: 2024 - 2036.

Domestic Shipping

We currently ship to all U.S. states where the shipment of alcohol is legally permitted. Orders are fulfilled via UPS.

Orders placed Monday through Thursday before 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time typically ship the same day. Orders placed after 2:00 p.m. on Thursday through Sunday will ship the following Monday.

Same-day delivery may be available within the Los Angeles Metro area if placed before noon. Please contact us at (626) 714-7006 to arrange expedited local service.

Packaging & Warm Weather Shipping

To protect wine quality, all orders are packed in EPS foam shippers with gel packs when necessary. During warmer months, we recommend selecting Next Day Air service. If Ground shipping is selected during high temperatures, a signed waiver may be required to release us from liability due to heat exposure.

For OWC (Original Wooden Case) orders, bottles are removed and shipped in foam for safety. The wooden case ships separately via Ground unless otherwise requested.

Weather Holds & Free Storage

In periods of extreme weather, we reserve the right to delay shipment until safe conditions return. If you request immediate shipment during such periods, you must confirm in writing and acknowledge that you waive any condition guarantees.

We also offer complimentary temperature-controlled storage for up to 6 months from the date of purchase. Select the “Hold for Weather” option at checkout and we will coordinate shipping at a later date.

Insurance

We provide free shipping insurance for loss or visible damage during transit, per carrier terms and conditions.

Adult Signature Required

All shipments of alcohol require an adult signature (21+) upon delivery. Carriers will not release packages without adult authorization. Additional charges may apply for re-delivery, redirection, or failed delivery attempts.

Shipping Address Accuracy

Orders are shipped to the exact shipping address provided at checkout. Angry Wine Merchant is not responsible for errors or omissions in the address submitted by the customer. If a package is delayed, returned, or misdelivered due to incorrect shipping details, the customer assumes full responsibility. Additional shipping fees may apply if re-shipment is required. By placing an order, you confirm that the shipping address entered is correct and agree to these terms.

States We Ship To

We ship to the following U.S. states:

Alabama (AL), Alaska (AK), Arizona (AZ), Arkansas (AR), California (CA), Colorado (CO), Connecticut (CT), Delaware (DE), Florida (FL), Georgia (GA), Hawaii (HI), Idaho (ID), Illinois (IL), Indiana (IN), Iowa (IA), Kansas (KS), Kentucky (KY), Louisiana (LA), Maine (ME), Maryland (MD), Massachusetts (MA), Michigan (MI), Minnesota (MN), Mississippi (MS), Missouri (MO), Montana (MT), Nebraska (NE), Nevada (NV), New Hampshire (NH), New Jersey (NJ), New Mexico (NM), New York (NY), North Carolina (NC), Ohio (OH), Oklahoma (OK), Oregon (OR), Pennsylvania (PA), Rhode Island (RI), South Carolina (SC), South Dakota (SD), Tennessee (TN), Texas (TX), Vermont (VT), Virginia (VA), Washington (WA), West Virginia (WV), Wisconsin (WI), Wyoming (WY)

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International Shipping

We do offer international shipping where legally allowed. For details, click here or contact us directly.

  • CRITICAL REVIEWS
  • WINEMAKER NOTES

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Dark ruby, with a light intensity nose of cassis and cigar box aromas, this wine exhibits good concentration, softness, adequate ripeness, and a short finish. It is a medium weight, ready to drink Cabernet Sauvignon that should last for 10-12 years.Reviewed by Robert M. Parker, Jr., Issue date: August 23 1994. Drinking window: 1994 - 2006.

Vinous

This 1988 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve is a vintage I have not encountered before; I tasted it blind at The Arches at lunch to raise a glass to Harry Gill. I must confess that I initially found the nose a little feral, perhaps with a touch of Brettanomyces. It seems to clarify with aeration with dark, plummy fruit, licorice and peppermint. It just needs a tad more definition. It really comes into its own on the palate, which is quite sweet on the entry. The 1988 shows layers of black fruit laced with orange rind and cassis, with a healthy sprinkling of black pepper at the finish. It coheres beautifully in the glass, and while not quite the heady heights of the late Sixties and early Seventies, this 36-year-old Californian is drinking perfectly. Reviewed by Neal Martin, Issue date: June 2024. Drinking window: 2024 - 2036.

1988 Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon – Historic Napa Valley Classic

The 1988 Robert Mondavi Winery Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon represents a chapter in Napa Valley history, crafted at a time when Robert Mondavi was cementing his legacy as a pioneer of California fine wine. This bottling, from the estate’s renowned To Kalon Vineyard in Oakville, showcases both the elegance of aged Napa Cabernet and the visionary style that helped put Mondavi on the global stage.

Tasting Notes

After more than three decades of cellaring, the 1988 Reserve reveals a bouquet of dried cherry, cedarwood, and tobacco leaf, layered with leather, earth, and subtle herbal notes. The palate offers softened tannins, savory red fruit, and tertiary flavors of truffle and spice, leading to a graceful, persistent finish. This wine is drinking at maturity, offering a glimpse into Napa’s golden era.

Winemaking & Vineyard Details

Composed primarily of Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from To Kalon Vineyard, the wine was aged in French oak barrels to build depth and structure. Mondavi’s Reserve wines were designed to rival the best of Bordeaux, emphasizing balance, finesse, and a sense of place—qualities still evident decades later.

Investment & Collectibility

The 1988 Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon holds immense historical value as one of Napa Valley’s iconic library vintages. While not as concentrated as blockbuster years, its longevity and pedigree make it a prized acquisition for collectors of Napa Valley wines and those who appreciate Robert Mondavi’s enduring influence. Perfect for your collection.

Vintage Specifics

The 1988 Napa vintage was cooler and yielded wines of elegance and restraint rather than opulence. Today, these wines offer subtlety, freshness, and the kind of tertiary complexity that appeals to lovers of mature Cabernet Sauvignon.


Explore Related Collections

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