Robert Mondavi Private Selection Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

The wines of Robert Mondavi need little introduction, such is the Californian wineries reputation in the historical timeline of American fine wine. That said, I often cast a wary sideways glance at wines with ‘special’ oak barrels on their labels. I needn’t have shown concern as the wine shows plentiful fruit horsepower to balance out any overt oak influence.

Red/purple in the glass, the initial aromas are of ripe blackberry and blueberry fruits and you guessed it; creamy, spicy oak making its presence felt.The fruit intensity ramps up on the palate, again with ripe berry fruits, dark chocolate, black olive tapenade, baking spice and wafts of spicy robust oak, plentiful ripe, fine-grained tannins for structure and a finish that lingers nicely. Lovely drinking now and will cellar well over the medium-term.