To Kalon Vineyard Monastery Block Cabernet Sauvignon
⏳ Drinking Window
2026 - 2042
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Slow-braised beef short ribs, grilled prime ribeye steak, or roasted rack of lamb with rosemary.
✨ Technical Specifications
Hailing from one of the most legendary vineyards in the world, the Robert Mondavi Winery To Kalon Vineyard Monastery Block Cabernet Sauvignon is a profound expression of Napa Valley history. First planted in 1868 by pioneer H.W. Crabb, 'To Kalon' is Greek for 'the highest beauty.' The Monastery Block sits on the western edge of the estate, nestled against the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains and adjacent to the Carmelite Monastery. Here, the well-drained, gravelly clay soils force the vines to dig deep, resulting in tiny, highly concentrated berries. This block-specific bottling is a powerful, structured Cabernet Sauvignon showcasing the classic 'Oakville dust' alongside opulent blackberry, cassis, and graphite notes. Aged extensively in new French oak barrels, it represents the pinnacle of Robert Mondavi's vision to produce Napa Valley wines that stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the finest First Crus of Bordeaux.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1966 by California wine pioneer Robert Mondavi, this landmark estate catalyzed the post-Prohibition renaissance of Napa Valley fine wine. Anchored by the historic Mission-style winery designed by Cliff May, the heart of the estate lies in Oakville's famed To Kalon Vineyard, situated along an alluvial fan of well-drained gravelly loam beneath the Mayacamas Range. Here, warm diurnal shifts and cooling maritime drafts foster phenolic ripeness while preserving structural acidity. Guided by Director of Winemaking Kurtis Ogasawara, viticulture emphasizes rigorous ecological stewardship, highlighted by the CCOF organic certification of its core To Kalon acreage. The winemaking philosophy balances European classicism with Californian generosity, using temperature-controlled fermentation, French oak elevage, and careful plot-by-plot separation. The estate is celebrated for pioneering benchmark dry Fumé Blanc—including ancient ungrafted bush vines from the legendary I Block—and quintessential Napa Valley and To Kalon Vineyard Reserve Cabernet Sauvignons.