Welcome to today’s issue of “Wine Wednesday” (although today is actually Thursday!)! This wine is available on the ‘Wine by the Glass’ list in all U.S. Morton’s locations and in most local wine shops. We’re featuring a wine from Charles Krug Winery-led by a group of incredible wine makers and pioneers with whom we’re partnering for the ‘Morton’s and the Mondavi Families: Celebrating the Legendary Blend‘ wine event on Thursday, October 7.

Today’s Featured Wine: Charles Krug, “Vintage Selection,” Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa

The Story:

  • Since 1944, the Peter Mondavi Family flagship, Vintage Selection, Cabernet Sauvignon, has been crafted only when the vintage is optimum

Profile:

  • Aromas of black pepper, barrel spice and orange peel while soft, supple tannins are married with ripe cherry and rich plum flavors

The Pairing:

  • Steaks: The soft, supple tannins of this wine will make it a great pairing with Filets and New York Strips. The softness of the tannins will work with all sauces and styles including au poivre and blackened.

The Region:

  • Napa, where Cabernet is King!

This is also a prime opportunity for this month’s ‘Meet the Mondavis’ feature! On July 12th, we featured Marcia Mondavi Borger of Continuum Estate. This month, I am pleased to introduce Marcia’s cousin and the co-proprietor of Charles Krug Winery, Marc Mondavi.

Marc is a third generation member of the Mondavi’s winemaking family and co-proprietor with his brother Peter, Jr. He also works closely with his father, Peter, Sr. on issues of strategic importance to the Peter Mondavi Family, including stewardship of all the winery’s brands.

Marc caught the family winemaking bug early in life, holding his first official winery position at age 10. Since then, he’s studied viticulture and enology at the University of California, Davis, and marketing at California State University, Sacramento.

He returned to the winery in 1978 after his studies, at which time he immersed himself in every aspect of winery operations. He worked with his father to further his knowledge of winemaking, and applied the expertise he had acquired at UC Davis to the winery’s numerous vineyard holdings.

Please enjoy this interview with Marc, as he gives tasting notes on a first-ever Mondavi family blend (called Siamo Insieme, which means “We are Together” in Italian), the evolution of the Napa Valley winemaking community over the years and the importance of bringing the Mondavi family together for the “Celebrating the Legendary Blend” event.

We look forward to welcoming Marc as one of the hosts of this momentous wine dinner benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation, along with his father, Peter Mondavi, Sr. and brother Peter Mondavi, Jr., Michael Mondavi of Folio Fine Wine Partners and Tim Mondavi and Marcia Mondavi Borger of Continuum Estate. Morton’s will broadcast this wine dinner…live!…in Morton’s private dining rooms throughout the country. Select Morton’s locations will also welcome members of the Mondavi’s 4th generation of winemakers to host this event. Visit www.mortons.com/celebratingthelegendaryblend for more information or to make a reservation!

Tylor Field, III
V.P. of Wine & Spirits
Morton’s The Steakhouse