Meet the wine matured in Caribbean rum barrels

I am not a huge fans of wines that divert from tradition. I'm a Chablis, Clare Valley riesling, Tassie pinot noir kind of guy. 

So to be honest, I was not expecting to enjoy the latest addition to the Jacob’s Creek Double Barrel collection: Jacob’s Creek Double Barrel Shiraz Cabernet Rum 2021. 

This is the first time the JC team has used rum barrels to finish a Double Barrel wine. 

The new release joins a range consisting of Chardonnay, Shiraz Cabernet, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. These wines are finished in aged Scotch whisky barrels (for the Shiraz, Shiraz Cabernet and Chardonnay) and Irish whiskey (for Cabernet Sauvignon) barrels.

Winemaker Dan Swincer says the barrel finishes lead to deeper, richer and more complex wines. 

"Rum is perfect for this time of year as the weather cools and we look to share time with friends over heartier-style meals, or by the fire," Swincer says. 

He's right. There is a whole lot of rich flavour to the blend and the wine would pair well with big dishes like steak with monkey gland sauce (look it up), or Americans spare ribs with lashings of smoky barbecue sauce. 

"The Jacob’s Creek Double Barrel range has always given us a chance to innovate," Swincer says. "With this new release we wanted to go beyond the expected and take varietal styles to a new level. 

"For a wine finished in Caribbean rum barrels, it was important to start with a rich and deeply fruited red wine. We went with a blend of shiraz and cabernet sauvignon; the shiraz offering the plushness and richness from the fruit and the cabernet sauvignon providing structure, density and the tannin profile - a fantastic base to start.

The Jacob’s Creek Double Barrel Shiraz Cabernet Rum 2021 ($25 RRP) is first matured in traditional French and American oak wine barrels. Once blended, portions are matured in oak casks that previously aged Caribbean rum. 

"The result is a combination of rich flavours; on the nose you’ll find lifted aromatics, dark fruits and a slight leafiness, while the palate is lush with notes of cocoa and vanilla from the traditional oak." Swincer says. 

"The rum barrel also imparts rum and raisin flavours with a hint of Christmas cake." 

Give it a go. You might be surprised.