Californian wine brand Robert Mondavi Private Selection has launched two bourbon-barrel-aged wines: 2018 Robert Mondavi Bourbon Barrel-Aged Chardonnay and 2018 Robert Mondavi Bourbon Barrel-Aged Cabernet Sauvignon.

The unique spirit barrel-aged Private Selection selection also includes a world-first limited release barrel-aged 2018 Robert Mondavi Rum Barrel-Aged Merlot.

Robert Mondavi is credited with transforming the way Americans buy and drink wine – he opened the first major winery in the Napa Valley following Prohibition and his tireless promotion of the region transformed it into a tourist mecca.

Earlier this year, Drinks Business revealed Robert Mondavi was No.5 on its World’s Top 10 Best Selling Wine Brands list.

All three Robert Mondavi Private Selection wines are sourced from premium vineyards along the Californian Monterey Coast – a dynamic growing region which is recognised for its ideal blend of fog, wind, chill and warm sunshine, along with its ancient soils.

Once picked, the grapes are blended, aged and then portions go into the barrel-aging process. The wines spend between three and 10 months within 100% American Bourbon and Rum barrels to deliver flavours of vanilla, toasty oak and baking spices, and provide further structure.

“We are really proud of the latest Private Selection wines, especially being first-to-market with the Rum Barrel-Aged Merlot,” said Glen Gaughell, Winemaker at Robert Mondavi Private Selection.

“These wines are crafted to be true reflections of their origins but with a unique barrel-aged twist. They are a modern take on world-class Californian wines.

“Our philosophy has always been centred around innovation – passed on from our founding winemaker Robert Mondavi’s trailblazing legacy and ingenuity. We are thrilled to be able to launch this boundary kicking innovation – a perfect balance of premium Californian coastal fruit and barrel complexity to produce cleverly structured and expressive wines.”

The 2018 Bourbon Barrel-Aged Chardonnay is bourbon barrel-aged for nine months, is golden straw in colour with intense aromas of grilled pineapple, baked spice pear, toasted marshmallow and vanilla bean.

The 2018 Bourbon Barrel-Aged Cabernet Sauvignon is bourbon barrel-aged for three months. The wine is rich, weighty and full-bodied on the palate. It finishes with robust flavours of black cherry and blackberry.

The 2018 Rum Barrel-Aged Merlot is rum barrel-aged for 10 months. It has rich, sweet aromas of blackstrap molasses, vanilla, mocha, cocoa powder, maple, tobacco leaf, and
spiced rum cake and ripe, concentrated flavours of black cherry, black raspberry, caramel, brown sugar, baking spice, sweet oak, vanilla and dark chocolate.

The Private Selection range is available now at BWS, Dan Murphy’s, Liquorland and First Choice Liquor Market nationally at RRP $25.