Wine: Robert Mondavi Private Selection Rum Barrel Aged Merlot

Country: USA

Region: California

Brand/Producer: Robert Mondavi

Grape Varietal: Merlot

ABV: 14.5%

Type: Red

Code: 2317

Tasting Notes

Aromas of rich blackstrap molasses, vanilla and maple precede gorgeous wafts of dark plums, black cherries and faint aniseed. The fruits dominate on the palate with lots of black cherries and plums and some dark chocolate and sweet caramel notes, Baking spices carry through to the luscious mellow finish with toasted coconut influenced by the Rum Barrel ageing

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 harvest takes place at night to help preserve optimum sugar and acidity levels. Malolactic fermentation is used to enhance the natural mellowness of the Merlot grapes. A portion is then aged for 10 months in American Oak barrels which have previously aged Rum. The resulting wine absorbs some of the typical toasted coconut and molasses 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 wine loves richly flavoured meat dishes like Korean short ribs, Jamaican jerk chicke as well as barbecued grills. You could try Thai flavours like a coconut curry. 

For a cheese board, add dark chocolate, brie with fig jam, and dried fruits

Awards & Accolades

2021 91 points and Gold Medal San Diego Wines & Spirits Challenge