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The Quarter Cut Bourbon Barrel Red Blend 2022 is a $9.99 Aldi exclusive. A check of the California Wine Cola Registry, the organization that approves wine labels, shows that this wine was produced by Vinå Concha y Toro, which makes wine in Chile and Argentina, and their California subsidiary Bonterr Organic Estates/Fetzer.
The Story
The back label shows this wine was “vinted and bottled” by Pacific Bay Vineyards. Vinted and bottled by means they bottled the wine and maybe aged it for a short time.
They do not mention the grape blend included in the Quarter Cut Bourbon Barrel Red Blend 2022. Other wines in the Quarter Barrel line are Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay. This Red Blend is sourced from grapes farmed in California.
Many Red wines are oak barrel-aged. In this case, the oak barrels toasted by flame, there are several levels of toast that bring out unique flavors from the oak.
Bourbon Barrels are charred by flame. Whiskey holds far more alcohol than wine, and stronger flavoring is necessary.
The Bourbon Barrels used in wine are there to finish the aging in just a week or two. The heavier flavors can overpower the wine if you are not careful, so a little goes a long way.
The alcohol content is 14.8%
The Quarter Cut Bourbon Barrel Red Blend 2022 Tasting Notes
The color is cherry red with black highlights. The nose is blackberry, black cherry, vanilla, oak spice, mocha, and a light floral edge. The Quarter Cut Bourbon Barrel Red Blend 2022 is more balanced than I was expecting, it is smooth, fruit-forward, and a little chocolatey.
This Red Blend tastes like black cherry, chocolate, licorice, vanilla, plum, a little spice, cold coffee, and cranberry.
The tannins are sweet, the acidity is balanced, and the bourbon barrel influence is muted.
The Summary
- The Quarter Cut Bourbon Barrel Red Blend 2022 is an easy sipping Red with enough complexity of flavor to keep your interest.
- I don’t think I am sold on the whole bourbon barrel thing, but this wine does sips well.
