I have been absent from this blog for nine weeks, the age of my new baby but today I am back and want to take the occasion to write about Peter Mondavi of Charles Krug Winery who turns 100 today, a venerable age for a remarkable man. I had the good fortune to meet Mr. Mondavi two years ago in October together with Giacomo Pondini from the Consorzio di Tutela del Morellino di Scansano and Karen MacKenzie of the eponymous agency.

Mr. Mondavi still goes to the office everyday and credits his longevity to wine and staying involved. He was incredibly generous with his time and I am thrilled that I got the chance to meet him thanks to Karen Mackenzie’s efforts.

Mondavi was one of the first wineries I had ever visited when I was 20 years old. I went with my Mother during college. I remember being overwhelmed at its luxury and its size. Since then the family fortunes have ebbed and flowed and Robert Mondavi sold his winery before his death.

Giacomo and I also tasted through a number of the wines with Mr. Mondavi. The one that I was most partial to that particular day in October 2012 was the Family Reserve Generations.

I liked the wine itself and I liked the symbolism behind the wine and the idea of generations of family. I drank it with my family as part of our Christmas meal if memory serves. The wine was made from 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. It spent 21 months in new French oak. Despite its high alcohol level, I thought it was quite delicious and showed lovely fruit, spice and earthy notes on the nose and palate. I think Cabernet lovers would also like this wine as the other Bordeaux varieties give it pepper and spice but the essence of this wine is pure Napa Cabernet.

I wish Mr. Mondavi cent di questi giorni (Nov. 8) and marvel at his kindness, modesty, and achievements.