Wine: Robert Mondavi Private Selection Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon

Country: USA

Region: California

Brand/Producer: Robert Mondavi

Grape Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon

ABV: 14.5%

Type: Red

Code: 2316

Tasting Notes

This opens with concentrated aromas of ripe dark berries, brown sugar, and toasty oak with notes of mocha coffee and smoke. Heaps of blackberries come through on the palate with some sweet toffee and coffee notes. Toasted tannins come through in the medium dry finish due to the bourbon barrel aging   

Producer

When Robert Mondavi came to Napa Valley, he aspired to take California wines to new levels by applying his pioneering vision to classic winemaking customs. 

His Robert Mondavi Private Selection range offers a wide range of elegantly expressive wines. They are masterfully created after 26 years of capturing Robert Mondavi’s legendary winemaking expertise and trailblazing new winemaking techniques. 

The Spirit Barrel Aged Wines balance longstanding traditions with an experimental forward-looking approach taking the Robert Mondavi aficionado on a voyage of discovery

Winemaking

The grapes were sourced from prime vineyards up and down California’s Central Coast and Lodi regions where warm days and cool nights provide ideal ripening conditions for grapes to develop

complex flavours and deep, concentrated colour. 

The wine is aged for 10 months and the vineyard parcels are carefully blended to deliver balanced fruit flavours. The wine is aged in American oak barrels for up to 10 months. However, a portion of the wine is set apart for 3 months in barrels which have previously aged Bourbon Whiskey. The resulting wine absorbs some of the rich toasted caramel Bourbon flavours from the barrel as well as some alcohol. 

Fun Fact

The first use of cross category barrels for making alcohol started in Scotland where Scotch Whisky producers aged some parcels in barrels previously used to age Sherry, Port and Madeira. Whisky lovers lapped up the new flavour nuances and the practice is very popular today.

Robert Mondavi is one of the pioneers of reversing the trend to use Whiskey barrels. The legal requirements for making Bourbon Whiskey state that the barrels used for ageing the whiskey can be used only once., thus there is a ready supply of barrels. 

Food pairing

This is a superb accompaniment to bourbon-glazed grilled ribs, a charcuterie board, hearty pasta dishes, and strong cheeses. It is also a favourite for cigar lovers.

Awards & Accolades

2021 Gold Medal Mundus Vini 

2021 94 points and Platinum Medal San Diego Wines & Spirits Challenge