Yes friends, I fell for the oldest gimmick in the book - a drink fad. I picked up this bottle at my local target, intrigued with a wine aged in used bourbon barrels. Bourbon barrels are made of exclusively American oak that has been charred on the inside which, over time, yields the flavors we all identify with bourbon (caramel, butterscotch, vanilla, baking spices, smoke, etc.). A portion of the vintage is aged for three months in the bourbon barrels and amazingly, likely due to Cabernet Sauvignon's big bold character, the wine holds up and is maybe slightly better for it. Not surprising that the Mondavi label is at the forefront of this trend - the label has been a trend setter since it's maverick namesake starting making wine at his now renowned winery in Napa Valley in 1965. ~$17 | #mondavi #cabernetsauvignon
#bourbonbarrelaged
On the eyes: Deep, dull, opaque almost blood-like garnet, med+ stain, med+ tears. No gas/floc.
On the nose: Blackberry-blueberry jam, toasted oak, hints of caramel and spice. Med alcohol.
On the tongue: med+ tannin, med acid, med+ alcohol, full body, creamy/chewy. Black cherry-blackberry-strawberry jam, brown sugar, vanilla, a bit of butterscotch and toasted oak. Definitely taste the bourbon barrel on the finish. Unique, but not memorably unique. — 8 years ago
2013 and it’s still alive and kicking. As it opens up it begins to express all of its tropical fruit aromas like mango, papaya and passion fruit. It has a creamy aroma and creamy texture from its fermentation and ageing in oak. It’s like a light coconut and white chocolate powder dashed on top. Lovely texture, tight and crunchy, with an orange peel and cream. Long finish. #sauvignonblanc #fuméblanc #mondavi #californiawine #napavalley — 5 years ago
A deeply intense nose that was well polished. Med + complexity. The palate is full but pretty with great black fruit, graphite, and chocolate notes. The structure is sturdy but elegant and in great balance. The length was long. This is a perfectly made wine the lacks character and excitement. #opusone #napavalley #mondavi #rothschild #oakville #bordeauxblend #ctbucklinwine — 8 years ago
WOW! Was given to me by Michael Mondavi in 2001 or 2002 during a Tampa market visit! Been relocated about 10 times, including oversees and back, yet at 19 years of age, this wine still drinks great! #mondavi #tokalon #oldwinerocks @DLynn Proctor @Robert Mondavi — 5 years ago
Another young one. Chocolate brownie and s’mores, with a coffee marshmallow. Rich vanilla bean creeps in, and warm plum jam that mysteriouslypowders atop pumpkin bread full of the usual spices aromatically. Grape-y, with grainy tannins, first skin of a dark red apple, red incense, cherry skins, lipstick with crispy beef and black soils. The final notes boast oak and blackberry, with cinnamon stick. The middle and finish give you an idea of the depth and breadth that the first aromas belie. #ToKalon #mondavi #robertmondavi #Napa #napavalley2013 #singlevineyard #Oakville #reserve #cabernetday #californiacab #cab — 6 years ago
Love #mondavi but this wine had a moldy cork :( #winewednesday — 10 years ago
Vasanth Balakrishnan
A more gilded style rosé from #mondavi - strawberry, watermelon, even some cherry notes on palate. Good acidity, enjoyable spice mid-palate and juicy finish. I can see this being a solid alternative to Pinot Noir with a cheeseburger or steak salad. — 2 years ago