Having recently been to the Cleveland Autoshow, it only seemed appropriate to check out a bottle of Stave & Steel Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon.  Just like a car made of wood and metal, so are barrels, and in this case, it features prominently in the creation of this wine from Paso Robles.

Sight:  Deep purple

Smell:  Massive blackberries with hints of distilled malt.  Touches of spice and wood with a lot of cigar.  Fruity tobacco like smell.

Sip:  Quite literally bourbon like.  There’s a full-bodied character with a good amount of acidity and a strongly alcoholic identity in the background.  Blackberries make it through, but there’s a spicy rye element mixing with hints of cigar and cedar.

Savor:  The wood notes overwhelm the wine, and the texture ends up slightly hot and heavy.  Tannins creep in and split a line between the cabernet grape and their fruity note, and a strong bourbon flavor.

Overall, Stave & Steel Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon is too strong on the barrel and not nearly wine-like enough.  If you want toned-down, fruity bourbon, you might find something to like about Stave & Steel Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon, but Cabernet Lovers will find this to be something of an abomination.  Nothing about it refined, and the texture thanks to the bourbon is a huge miss.  Overall, more gimmick than game changer.

Verdict: Alcohol, Bourbon, Spice, Rye, Blackberries
Rating: 63
Price: $12
Paso Robles, California

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