Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/10329
INDUSTRY EVENT Sommelier. Dame, the man who is responsible for starting the Court of Master Sommeliers in 1986, is the Director of Prestige Accounts for Constellation Wines U.S. Dame was speaking to a prestigious group of wine buying decision-makers—including six Master Sommeliers—from Northern California, from the Monterey Peninsula, through San Jose and San Francisco, north to Napa and Sonoma. Gathered at the Robert Mondavi Winery in St. Helena, more than 40 restaurateurs, wine directors and sommeliers overlooked the historic To Kalon Vineyards while drinking reserve selections of Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Time Capsule “T DISTINGUISHED WINE BUYERS CONVERGE TO TASTE FOUR DECADES OF VINTAGES FROM THE HISTORIC VINOUS LIBRARY AT ROBERT MONDAVI WINERY photos by Ryan Lely hese wines are reaching their maturity: they may not be getting any better. We may as well drink them today,” announced Fred Dame, Master from 1976 and 1985, as well as aged and current vintages of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Fumé Blanc Reserves. Robert Mondavi Winery Chef Suzanne Harrison paired the wines with a six-course meal, each course represented by a library reserve and a current release. “Today’s California winemakers have Robert Mondavi to thank for setting the bar,” noted Dame. “Drink up, and as you do, think about re-inventing the Robert Mondavi wines on your core lists: teach your customers and your staff about this winery’s relevance. The future awaits for our latest vin- tages, and as students of wine, sometimes we forget about the history and the importance of Robert Mondavi: Where would Napa wines be today without his influence?” –Meridith May Master Sommeliers Fred Dame, Nunzio Alioto of Alioto’s Restaurant, San Francisco, Randall Bertao of Los Altos Country Club, Reggie Narito of SW&S, Eric Entriken from Alexander’s Steakhouse in Cupertino and Jesse Becker from Périphérique Wine Services. 86 / the tasting panel / may 2010