Robert Mondavi Fume Blanc Napa

Robert Mondavi Fumé Blanc Napa Valley is a barrel-fermented, Sauvignon Blanc–based white wine from Napa Valley, bottled at 14.5% ABV (750ml). Robert Mondavi coined the term "Fumé Blanc" in 1968, making this the original expression of a style that has since become an American wine category of its own. The 2014 Oakville bottling earned 91 points from Wine Spectator, and the wine has collected multiple Gold medals at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Napa Valley, California  |  Style: Barrel-Fermented Sauvignon Blanc Blend  |  Winery: Robert Mondavi Winery

Production & Heritage

Robert Mondavi Winery was founded in 1966 in Oakville, Napa Valley, and quickly became one of California's most influential producers. The Fumé Blanc blends 92% Sauvignon Blanc with 8% Sémillon — the Sémillon adding layers of peach, lemon, and beeswax complexity that distinguish it from straightforward varietal Sauvignon Blancs. Ninety percent of the wine is barrel-fermented while the remaining ten percent is fermented in stainless steel; it then ages for six months on its lees in 60-gallon French oak barrels with twice-monthly bâtonnage (lees stirring) to build body and textural richness. Fruit is sourced from two of Napa's most acclaimed sites: Wappo Hill Vineyard in Stag's Leap District, contributing brightness, herbal notes, and lift, and the legendary To Kalon Vineyard in Oakville, which brings weight, richness, and structural complexity.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with bright citrus — lime blossom and grapefruit — before shifting into lemongrass, dried herbs, and a subtle hint of jasmine. A thread of gooseberry and mineral runs underneath, hinting at the wine's Napa Valley terroir.

Taste: The entry is lively and zesty, led by lemon and green apple acidity. Mid-palate, creamy white peach and juicy melon emerge alongside green fig and white pepper spice. The oak influence shows restraint, lending a light vanilla undertone and broadening the texture without overwhelming the fruit.

Finish: Crisp, persistent, and minerally, with lingering peppery notes and delicate citrus. The finish stays fresh and clean, a hallmark of the bâtonnage-driven lees contact that gives the wine its signature weight without heaviness.

How to Drink Mondavi Fumé Blanc

Serve chilled to around 48–52°F. A light chill preserves the wine's bright acidity and aromatic lift, while allowing the barrel-fermented richness to emerge as it opens up in the glass. This Fumé Blanc also works exceptionally well in cocktails: a White Wine Spritzer lets the citrus and herbal character shine with simple sparkling water and a lime twist; a Kir pairs the wine's mineral backbone with crème de cassis for a classic French apéritif; and a Sangria Blanca leverages its ripe melon and peach notes alongside fresh summer fruit.

Best For

• A warm-weather dinner party featuring grilled seafood or herb-roasted chicken
• Gifting a wine enthusiast interested in Napa Valley's flagship white styles
• Exploring the original Fumé Blanc alongside Loire Valley Pouilly-Fumé in a comparative tasting
• Pairing with a charcuterie and cheese spread for a weekend gathering

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Mondavi Fumé Blanc taste like? Mondavi Fumé Blanc delivers bright citrus and gooseberry up front, followed by creamy peach, melon, and a peppery mineral finish. The barrel fermentation and Sémillon component give it more body and texture than most Sauvignon Blancs.

How does Mondavi Fumé Blanc compare to Ferrari-Carano Fumé Blanc? Both are oak-influenced, lees-aged Sauvignon Blancs, but Mondavi's version draws from renowned Napa vineyards like To Kalon and Wappo Hill and uses a higher proportion of barrel fermentation (90%) along with 8% Sémillon for added richness. Ferrari-Carano sources primarily from Sonoma County and ages on lees for a shorter period with more stainless steel influence, resulting in a slightly more tropical, lighter-bodied profile.

Is Mondavi Fumé Blanc good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — the combination of zesty acidity, oak-driven creaminess, and mineral complexity makes it a rewarding wine to drink neat, especially served lightly chilled on a warm evening.

Where is Mondavi Fumé Blanc made? It is produced at Robert Mondavi Winery in Oakville, Napa Valley, California, with fruit sourced from Wappo Hill Vineyard in the Stag's Leap District and To Kalon Vineyard in Oakville.

What foods pair well with Mondavi Fumé Blanc? Grilled branzino or halibut, where the wine's citrus acidity complements the delicate fish; goat cheese salad, which mirrors the wine's tangy mineral character; herb-roasted chicken, whose savory herbs echo the wine's dried-herb aromatics; oysters on the half shell, which highlight its crisp minerality; and shrimp scampi, where the wine's lemon and white pepper notes play off buttery garlic sauce.

What sizes does Mondavi Fumé Blanc come in? The standard release is widely available in a 750ml bottle.

Is Mondavi Fumé Blanc worth the price? Positioned in the mid-premium tier for Napa Valley whites, Mondavi Fumé Blanc delivers vineyard pedigree (To Kalon and Wappo Hill), labor-intensive barrel fermentation, and six months of lees aging — production methods typically associated with wines at significantly higher price points.

Why Mondavi Fumé Blanc?

Robert Mondavi invented the Fumé Blanc category in 1968, and this wine remains the benchmark for the style more than five decades later. The sourcing from To Kalon — widely regarded as one of Napa Valley's greatest vineyards — and Wappo Hill in the Stag's Leap District gives it a terroir foundation few competitors can match. The 90% barrel-fermentation rate and extended bâtonnage build a richness and textural depth that set it apart from the many stainless-steel-fermented Sauvignon Blancs on the market. For anyone seeking a white wine that balances bright, crisp acidity with genuine complexity and history, this is the original that started it all.