Robert Mondavi Winery has been based in Oakville since 1966 and draws its 'The Estates' Oakville Cabernet almost entirely from the historic To Kalon Vineyard, one of Napa Valley's most celebrated sites. Lying on the western Oakville bench at the foot of the Mayacamas, To Kalon's deep, well-drained gravel and alluvial soils, warm days and afternoon breezes are a classic source of powerful yet refined Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2021 Napa vintage followed a dry, drought-affected winter and a frost-free, even spring; a moderate summer with no major heat spikes allowed a long, unhurried ripening. Low yields of small berries produced concentrated, structured, deeply coloured fruit that many rate among the finest of the decade.

The predominantly To Kalon fruit was fermented block by block before blending. The 2021 was assembled as 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cabernet Franc, 2.5% Petit Verdot, 2% Merlot and 1.5% Malbec. In Mondavi's classic manner the reds were fermented and then matured in French oak, with a measured proportion of new wood, to frame the wine's dark blue-and-black fruit, mocha and floral tones. Ripe, fine-grained tannins and bright acidity give structure for extended cellaring, and the barrel ageing knits the components into the polished, powerful Oakville style for which the site is known.