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    Robert Mondavi Private Selection Bourbon Barrel-Aged Cabernet Sauvignon - Mission Accomplished

    By: Jon Thorsen Published: May 24, 2019 Last Updated: May 19, 2021

    A bourbon barrel bonanza from Robert Mondavi, the Private Selection Bourbon Barrel-Aged Cabernet Sauvignon. Available at Costco, Trader Joe's and pretty much everywhere wine is sold.

    Robert Mondavi Private Selection Bourbon Barrel-Aged Cabernet Sauvignon - Mission Accomplished

    A blend of primarily Cabernet Sauvignon along with Petite Sirah, Malbec and Petit Verdot from Southern Monterey County, Central Coast, California. The wine is aged in oak for a total of 10 months, with a portion of the wine also aged in new American oak bourbon barrels for at least 3 months. It has 4.0 g/L of residual sugar.

    The Robert Mondavi Private Selection Bourbon Barrel-Aged Cabernet Sauvignon has an SRP of $14, is available widely for around $10 and at some outlets for as low as $7-$8. It is also available at many Costco and Trader Joe's locations.

    From the bottle:

    This limited release Cabernet Sauvignon blends the craftsmanship of California winemaking with the Southern tradition of Bourbon Whiskey aging. Our coastal California vineyards deliver deep flavors of black cherry and blackberry to the wine. The next step is to age the blend in Bourbon Whiskey barrels for at least 3 months, adding nuances of vanilla, brown sugar and toasty oak.

    14.5% Alcohol

    Bourbon barrel aging is hot and this one represents one of the more popular options on the market given it's ready availability and low price tag. Let's see how it tastes!

    The 2017 Robert Mondavi Private Selection Bourbon Barrel-Aged Cabernet Sauvignon begins with a strong, pleasing aroma of dark berry fruit along with lots of vanilla and caramel plus cocoa and coffee. Taking a sip reveals the wine to be smooth, quite tasty and loaded with vanilla. This is pretty much the vanilla Coke of wine, not that that's necessarily a bad thing. It's definitely a good one for the bourbon barrel lovers.

    The wine is just slightly sweet at 4 g/L of residual sugar. There's plenty of blackberry and plenty of caramel along with touches of licorice, cola, cinnamon, clove, mocha and more to go along with all the vanilla. It ends dry, grippy and long.

    Overall, it's a bit heavy-handed but if you're going to age your wine in bourbon barrels that's kind of the point and this one delivers on the promise. Mission accomplished!

    Ready to buy? See a listing of local retailers here.

    2017 Robert Mondavi Private Selection Bourbon Barrel-Aged Cabernet Sauvignon

    TASTE: 7       COST: 9
    OVERALL RATING: 7.5

    Recommended Buy

    Looking for more of the Best Cabernet Sauvignon Under $20? Check out our giant list!

    The Best Cabernet Sauvignon Under $20 - The Reverse Wine Snob Picks!

    You may also want to check our Costco and Trader Joe's lists!

    Filed Under: Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Costco, Trader Joe's

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    About Jon Thorsen

    Author and independent wine consumer helping millions of people find great wines without breaking the bank since 2011. Sign up for my FREE GUIDE to learn how! Read more about me...

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