By Richard Thomas
Ranking: B+
Robert Mondavi Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon
(Credit score: Richard Thomas)
One of many issues with being a well known, even perhaps ubiquitous model is that even essentially the most informal snob will bypass it. By “informal,” I imply a crippling case of toxicity or Kruger-Dunning impact is pointless. All somebody wants is the notion that they need to pursue one thing novel or (imagined to be) extra elevated to bypass stuff that’s fairly good, however manner too acquainted. I used to see this actually on daily basis after I was a DJ in my undergraduate days; my first publicity to poisonous fandom was with music nerds, manner again within the Nineties.
In my view, this notion has beset Robert Mondavi Bourbon Barrel Aged Cab Sav. When the topic comes up, I hear quite a lot of buzz about different bourbon barrel aged wines… however not this one. This dialog takes place completely inside whiskey circles, so perhaps this isn’t the case with wine people, however like I wrote above… informal snobbery. Go determine.
The Wine
The fruit for this comes from Monterey County coastal vineyards, and it has been aged in a mixture of new and used bourbon barrels for a minimum of three months. That’s an fascinating phrasing, as a result of new bourbon barrels means a charred, 53-gallon white oak barrel that has not been used to age bourbon. So the wooden here’s a mixture of half-spent, bourbon-infused oak and the brand new oak that contributes a lot to why bourbon tastes the best way it does.
That possible explains the sturdy vanilla overtones within the wine. That is a lot the case that vanilla shares heart stage with the Cab Sav cherry and blackberry fruitiness. The customary cedar turns into an oakier present, so acquainted to us whiskey followers, grounded in earthy espresso and barrel char notes.
The Value
Checking with a number of retailers revealed the road value for this bottle is $11 to $14, and at that charge it is extremely effectively price it. In truth, it’s going to grow to be my go-to for bourbon barrel aged pink wine for a while to return.
It is a restricted launch. There was one in 2017, and this one is from 2019. So hold a watch out, as a result of there might very effectively be a spot throughout which it’s unavailable.
