Robert Mondavi Private Selection Rum Barrel Merlot 2018
- 92
- $25
- Drink by: 2021 - 2024
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Rum and merlot may not seem to be an immediate pairing, but the oak here delivers coconut and sweet vanilla notes and the ripeness and softness of the fruit works well with that. Soft red berries here, raspberries, some undergrowth and chocolate. Mocha, plums and plum pudding. This is seamless, soft and generous. There is a nice flick of acidity to the ripe, forward flavours. This is not overly complex but it offers loads of flavour.
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
