"The Avni Chardonnay, which means stone is loaded with rip-roaring minerality and brilliant acidity to match. Aromatics of struck flint, sea breeze and green mangoes elicit a familiarity with the wine's core of minerality. Mouthfuls of sea salt, crushed granite and salted lemon leave a thirst-slaking impression and beg for someone to shuck some oysters."
— Jonathan Cristaldi, Decanter92
"The 2022 Chardonnay Avni boasts a lovely, generous bouquet, with notes of white peach, pithy lemon, white flowers, and wet stone. Medium to full-bodied, it has a rounded feel, with a good deal of elegance and approachability, and a lovely, clean finish. A fantastic entry to the range, this highly consistent wine is outstanding for restaurant programs and offers a wide drinking window over the next 5-6 years."
— Jeb Dunnuck92
"Orange blossom, lemon zest and grapefruit on the nose. The palate is medium-bodied with bright acidity, giving notes of Fuji apple, grilled peach and honeysuckle. Mineral and precise. Drink or hold."
— James Suckling
"Soft around the edges and firm in the middle, this red- and black-fruited wine has a creaminess on the palate, delivering a mix of red cherries, blackberries and blueberries wrapped in moderate tannins. Contains small amounts of petit verdot, cabernet franc, malbec and merlot. Drink or hold."
— Jim Gordon, JamesSuckling.com, February 8, 202491
"A polished, fruit-driven style, but with nice focus, as singed alder and savory notes provide a gentle nudge along the edges of the plum and cassis core. Ends with a subtle loam echo on the finish. Drink now through 2032."
— Wine Spectator, November 14, 2024
"Dark and winey, with a smoldering intensity to the flavors of black currant preserves, fig paste and plum reduction. The structure is loamy, rich and driven in feel, while tobacco and warm stone accents play their supporting role. A brick house with a bit of an old-school feel. To be released September, 2021. Best from 2023 through 2036. 3,048 cases made."
— J.M., Wine Spectator, October 31, 2021
"Publisher's Pick" From the most coveted blocks within To Kalon - the treasured vineyard of Robert Mondavi that was the location of his winery home since 1966 - this is the fourth vintage of the To Kalon-designated Reserve. Like a classic rock 'n' roll tune from that era, this wine ranks among the most revered and will continue to be memorable for decades. Among the top five songs of 1966 were "Cherish" by The Association and "Soul Inspiration" by The Righteous Brothers, which are appropriately a good fit for describing the To Kalon vineyard. From its aromas of dark cherry and vanilla spice to its deeply expressive notes of graphite, leather, plum, and earth, the velvet drapes across the palate from start to finish."
— Tasting Panel, December 201795
"Deep ruby/purple-colored, notes of sweet crème de cassis, blackberry, charcoal and toast are present in the subtle but intense aromatics. The wine is full-bodied and classically crafted, building incrementally on the palate and displaying full-bodied richness, sweet tannin, and a potential to age for 25-30+ years. This is a beauty. It goes without saying that probably no one did more for the image, the quality and the prestige of Napa Valley than Robert Mondavi. He was 'the' ambassador for the region, and while he certainly lived to see its rise to glory and fame, I doubt that even he envisioned the remarkable wines that are now emanating in prolific quantities from this Shangri-La for growing grapes."
— Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, December 30, 201695
"This is made from a majority of Cabernet Sauvignon from the famous historic site, with 6% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. It startles in beauty and grace, with plenty of power and concentration. It's a charismatic wine, bright in red currant and black cherry and a soft, supple texture that holds an underlying grip and toasty oak spice."
— V.B., Wine Enthusiast, February 201893
"This shows some valley floor dusty texture with blueberry and currant character. Medium body, fine and silky tanning and a fresh finish. Shows the To Kalon magic."
— James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, December 21, 201792
"Supple and heady with the richness of Oakville cabernet, this is a plush, espresso-scented red. Associate Editor Geoff Millar described it as an "oak rocket with dark fruit inside," the oak propelling the fresh raspberry and blackberry flavor. Winemaker Genevieve Janssens selects this wine from the vineyard that surrounds the winery, working with a range of blocks for this Reserve, including vines dating to 1974."
— Wine & Spirits, February 201890
"Offers aromas of dusty berry, plum and currant, with crushed rock and graphite notes amid cedary oak and black licorice details and firm tannins."
— J.L., Wine Spectator, March 2018
