Imagine sitting down with wine royalty, sipping a glass of something extraordinary, and getting the inside scoop straight from the Sultan of Sonona, the Knight of Napa. I experienced this when Tim Mondavi came to Singapore, sharing a story as rich and complex as his wines. He was recently in town with David Bantly, Continuum Estate’s Sales Director, for a promotional and educational visit. Incidentally, he has ties to this island nation through his Singaporean wife, Suling.
Tim, the consummate storyteller, captivated the room with the precision of a brain surgeon. His narrative transcended viticulture, weaving together his personal history with the enchanting craft of winemaking. From Robert Mondavi Wines to Opus One and now leading Continuum Estate with heaps of passionate dedication, this was a Taylor Swift moment for me!
Let's get straight to the point: the Mondavi name represents wine royalty. Tim, at 73, isn't riding on the coattails of his famous father, Robert. Instead, he’s building his own legacy with Continuum Estate, a winery he established in 2005 alongside his sister, Marcia.
The star of the show? The Continuum 2021 Cabernet is a smooth, sophisticated wine that packs a punch that will impress you. It is a carefully crafted blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Cabernet Franc, 11% Merlot, and 9% Petit Verdot sourced from the legendary Pritchard Hill.
Continuum’s wines come from the Sage Mountain Vineyard, which is located on the slopes of Pritchard Hill at elevations ranging from 800 to 1,800 feet above sea level. Due to the exceptional quality of its wines, Pritchard Hill is often called "Napa Valley's Grand Cru." The terroir at Pritchard Hill resembles Burgundy, rich in marine elements, high minerality, and low fertility.
How good is it? This wine is the superstar of Napa Valley. The 2021 vintage of Continuum has received exceptional reviews from renowned wine critics:
- The Wine Independent rated it between 98 and 100 points, highlighting its vibrant blackberry aromas and perfectly ripe tannins.
- James Suckling awarded it 99 points, praising its "seamless silk" texture and noting that the tannins were some of the best he had experienced in a young Continuum.
Tim's not shy about the 2021 vintage. "It was a year of challenge and triumph," he told us. Drought conditions meant smaller yields but also meant more concentrated, intense flavours. His wines are also compared to the great cabernets from Bordeaux. This vast French wine region, along with the different climates and terroir, produces a range of cabernet flavours. Tim would proudly stand up the Continuum against wines from St Emilion, which he described as having the same characteristics at Pritchard Hill.
For wine lovers, the bottom line is that Continuum isn't just another wine. It's a testament to what happens when generations of wine knowledge, commitment to quality, and pure passion come together in a bottle.
The tasting went down at Madame Fan, a serious Chinese restaurant that knows how to do fine dining right. And here's a pro tip from Tim himself: this wine pairs with almost everything. Spicy food? Check. Rich fatty fish? Absolutely. The only thing he warned against? Oysters.
And the best part? We got a sneak peek of the 2022 vintage a year before its official release. It was truly special. Still young, still special, it was quite an honour for me. Talk about VIP treatment.
But wait, there's more. The Sentium Sauvignon Blanc 2022 wasn't just a sidekick; it was a showstopper in its own right. Made by Tim's daughter Ciarra, the Mondavi family’s fourth-generation winemaker, this white wine is crisp, fresh, and smooth as silk. Sourced from Sonoma and kissed by Pacific Ocean breezes, it's the kind of wine that makes you go "wow" after the first sip.
Whether you're a serious wine collector or just someone who enjoys a good glass with dinner, Continuum represents something special in the wine world. So next time you're looking to impress at a dinner party or just want to treat yourself to something special, remember the name Continuum. It's not just a wine—it's a legacy in a glass.
As I left Madame Fan that afternoon, I couldn't help but feel I'd experienced something special. Tim Mondavi isn't just preserving a family legacy; he's creating new chapters in wine history. And I was lucky enough to be able to taste it.
A big thank you goes to Adeline and Wing from Monopole for organising this memorable event. They're doing great work connecting Singapore's wine lovers with some of the world's finest wines.
Of course, I wanted to thank Tim Mondavi for giving me a glimpse into the future of wines I will enjoy.
Cheers to that!
