Robert Mondavi Private Selection California Sauvignon Blanc Central Coast 2014: Very light gold-green color; lime, grapefruit nose;
grapefruit, lemon, melon, pineapple on the palate, minerals emerge on the finish. Light white with good acidity, easy drinking, great for summer sipping, plays well with food. Like many words on wine labels, “private selection” has no meaning past a marketeer’s effort to create perceived value. Private Selection Central Coast is Mondavi’s mass distribution, supermarket, under-ten-dollar offering, so don’t expect a Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé, or New Zealand wonder wine, but this is excellent value-for-price. That means it is true to the grape variety, has no glaring flaws—being un-oaked is definitely appreciated—and pleasant. It also means there is no incandescent wow factor beyond it being a nice, easy drinker for the price. People will not rave about this wine, but they will not spit it out in disgust and revulsion either. It is safe pour, especially when paired with food. It does less well as a drink-it-by-itself wine. Enjoy by the pool (use plastic glasses please) with veggie or fruit nibbles, or with salads, light fish, light chicken when you don’t want to sell part of your mutual fund or raid the kid’s college tuition account to afford the repast. $9