91 Points | International Wine Cellar , May/June 2009

($40) Bright, pale yellow. Lemon drop and pineapple aromas are complemented by an exotic note of vanilla. Fuller and weightier than the regular Napa Valley bottling, with pineapple, grapefruit and mineral flavors deepened by suggestions of honey and lanolin from the 6% semillon in the blend. At once dense and juicy, and snappy and spicy on the lingering finish, offering a late hint of white flowers. From vines planted in 1955, 1958 and 1989. The crop in 2006 was barely two tons an acre due to the very dry growing season, according to head white winemaker Rich Arnold, who told me that following two late harvests in 2005 and 2006 Mondavi begin picking its 2007 sauvignon blanc in mid-August.