Robert Mondavi Winery (Napa Valley) 2003 Fume Blanc $17.99
Nose: strong citrus. Grapefruit and flowers.
Palate: incredibly soft and silky. The acid structure is wound up a
bit tight. But that is only immediatly after opening. There are
lemon and vanilla hints here. Apricot and minty green hints linger around the edges.
Finish: silky and thin (in a good way - like honeyed water from a feel perspective).
This is a fine Fume Blanc, though a bit pricey. If you're unfamiliar with Fume Blanc from a flavor and body perspective, think of Champagne. It's like that but without the bubbles.
Overall, I enjoyed the wine but was unimpressed from a value perspective. I can find something comprable for $7 or $8 less in most places.
Still, the bottle was polished off and the wife enjoyed it quite a bit.
Raise a glass!
Isn't Fume Blanc just another name for Sauvignon Blanc?
ReplyDeleteTo be sure, the Sauvignon Blanc grape is the primary varietal in any Fume Blanc wine. However, there are plenty of differences between a "pure" Sauvignon Blanc and a Fume. Most notably the difference is the wood barrel fermentation and/or aging. Mondavi pioneered (invented?) the Fume Blanc style mostly as a marketing ploy since few California winemakers back in the day thought there was a market for something called "Sauvignon... anything". Now there are plenty of "pure" Sauvignon Blancs coming out of Cali. Nevertheless, the ammount, type, and time of oak and other wood fermentation and aging can add complexity and style and a new flavor profile to the Fume.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to know what does fume blanc suppose to smell like.
ReplyDeleteI bought a bottle of Robert Mondavi Fume Blanc 2003 at Target and it smells really weird. I hesitate to drink it because it smells like bad mushrooms. There is green discoloration on the cork. Does it mean the wine is bad?