Oenophiles the world over will recognise the name of Robert Mondavi, an icon in Californian winemaking who founded his namesake estate in Napa Valley back in 1966. Wineries are quite often family affairs, and as such a young Timothy Mondavi joined his father in the business in 1974, learning, and very quickly innovating, for 30 years. In 2005, Tim founded Continuum, along with his sister Marcia and father Robert; a winery that pays homage to their family’s legacy in wine.

Armed with a degree in enology and viticulture from the University of California at Davis, Timothy Mondavi was at the helm of the winemaking team for Robert Mondavi Winery from 1974 until 2004. At Robert Mondavi Winery, Tim led with a strong emphasis on viticultural research programs, new developments in rootstocks, clones, and vine density making the winery an industry leader.

Early on, he began using the term “winegrower” instead of winemaker, to identify his belief that the personality of great wine is a manifestation of the soil, climate and the people involved. Tim pioneered the concept of “natural winegrowing”, developing significant environmental programs in the vineyards that go beyond organic. Many of his innovations in the winery promoted gentle handling and natural elevation of the winemaking process.

When Continuum was founded in 2005, Tim was 54, the same age as his father when he founded Robert Mondavi Winery. For Tim, Continuum is a new beginning after over 30 years in winemaking the world over, and the continuation of 4 generations of bringing wine to the American table.

2021 Continuum: A Vintage for the Ages

Particularly celebrated is the 2021 Continuum, a vintage set apart for its perseverance and resilience. 2021 was marked by the second year of an extreme drought and the moderate growing season that carried it through.

Continuum is 100% estate-grown, produced and bottled on Sage Mountain Vineyard. Its location overlooks Napa Valley and the San Francisco Bay. The rocky, volcanic soils of the site focus the vine’s energy keeping yields low and producing fruit of depth and complexity. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Merlot are grown from 1300 to 1600 feet in elevation, on western and southern facing aspects with slight northern and eastern slopes in places. The elevation and slopes moderate the temperatures. This diversity of plantings on the volcanic soils are the essence of the complexity of Continuum.

All fruit is selectively hand-harvested at night. The fruit is sorted before and after gentle de-stemming, then gravity-fed into French oak and concrete tanks. 2021 Continuum spent 21 months in barrel sur lie with 60 per cent of the wine aged in new French oak barrels, 37 per cent in neutral oak and 3 per cent of the blend in concrete amphora. Each vineyard lot was tasted and carefully considered many times to assemble the 2021 blend. The wine clarified slowly and settled naturally in the cold barrel room, was racked sparingly and bottled without fining or filtration.

This special wine reveals floral notes, with black cherry and wild foraged mixed berries. One can perceive the chemise, sage, and bay giving a gorgeous savoury expression, reflective of the natural environment that surrounds Sage Mountain Vineyard. 2021 is a wine of incredible complexity and nuance — truly a wine for the ages.

For the fullest sensory experience decanting is encouraged to allow the wine to breathe before serving. Decanting awakens the wine’s more purely fragrant expression and enhances the suppleness of the palate. Continuum is accessible and enjoyable upon release; however extended aging will be richly rewarded.

For more information about Continuum Wines please contact Boga Fine Wines: www.bogafinewines.com

NOW! Jakarta

NOW! Jakarta

The article is produced by editorial team of NOW!Jakarta