2018 Tim Mondavi Continuum Proprietary Red

The 2018 Tim Mondavi Continuum Proprietary Red is a commanding, estate-grown Napa Valley blend that captures the elegance and energy of high-elevation Cabernet. Crafted on the dramatic slopes of Pritchard Hill above Oakville, it marries the power of mountain fruit with the refinement and polish you’d expect from the Mondavi family. This is Continuum at its most classic: a collectible red with depth, precision, and the structure to age beautifully.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2018 Continuum is deep, opaque garnet with a vivid, youthful rim hinting at its long life ahead. The nose is layered and expressive: ripe blackcurrant, black cherry and plum interwoven with graphite, violets, sage, cedar, and subtle baking spice from fine French oak. With air, nuances of cocoa, cigar box, and warm stones emerge, underscoring its mountain origins. On the palate, this is full-bodied yet strikingly poised, with a core of dark, pure fruit framed by firm, ultra-fine tannins and vibrant acidity. Flavors of cassis, blackberry, and red currant are complemented by mineral notes, cacao nibs, tobacco leaf, and a savory, almost ferrous edge from the volcanic soils. The finish is long, precise, and persistent, echoing dark fruit, floral tones, and spice. Beautifully structured, the 2018 vintage has outstanding aging potential; properly cellared, it should continue to develop complexity and grace for 15–25 years or more.

Production
Continuum is sourced entirely from the estate vineyard on Sage Mountain, perched high on Pritchard Hill in Napa Valley. These steep, rocky slopes, with their iron-rich volcanic and loam soils, produce small, intensely flavored berries that give the wine its concentration and mineral drive. The blend is anchored by Cabernet Sauvignon, supported by Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Merlot, all farmed with meticulous, low-yield, sustainable practices and harvested by hand at optimal ripeness. In the gravity-flow winery, fruit is carefully sorted, then fermented in small lots to preserve site character and purity of fruit. The wine is aged in high-quality French oak barrels, a significant portion new, for an extended period (often around 18–22 months), allowing tannins to integrate and the aromatic complexity to unfold before bottling without fining or heavy filtration.

Food & Serving
This is a natural partner for rich, refined dishes: think grilled or dry-aged ribeye, roast lamb with rosemary, venison, short ribs, or duck breast with a dark fruit reduction. It also shines alongside truffle-inflected dishes, wild mushrooms, and aged hard cheeses such as Comté or mature Gouda. For optimal enjoyment, serve at 16–18°C (60–65°F). Decanting is highly recommended—give it 1–2 hours in a decanter in its youth to soften the structure and release the aromatics; older bottles will benefit from a gentler, shorter decant primarily to remove sediment.

Producer
Continuum is the flagship project of Tim Mondavi and his family, founded in 2005 as a return to their roots in fine, estate-grown Napa Valley wine after decades at the helm of the legendary Robert Mondavi Winery. From its dramatic perch on Sage Mountain on Pritchard Hill, Continuum focuses exclusively on a single estate red blend that aims to express one grand cru–level site with absolute clarity. The estate has quickly become one of Napa Valley’s most respected addresses, consistently receiving critical acclaim for its precision, longevity, and sense of place. By uniting the Mondavi family’s deep experience with meticulous farming and thoughtful, terroir-driven winemaking, Continuum has cemented itself as a benchmark for modern, world-class Napa Cabernet blends.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.