A Mondavi By Any Other Name

Vint is the rebrand for Robert Mondavi Private Selection wines. Private Selection was launched in 1994, and Vint hit the labels for the brand's 30th anniversary. 

The 2022 Vint Pinot Noir is made primarily from Pinot Noir grapes, with some Syrah thrown in to beef up the blend. Yeah, I was surprised, too. A major winemaker who actually admits to putting Syrah in their Pinot Noir. Go figure. Alcohol stays low, though, at 13.5% abv and this bottle cost me $5, on sale from $12.

This wine is medium dark purple in the glass. Its nose is somewhat muted, but what's there is fruity. Cherry, raspberry, strawberry and plum notes abound, with a trace of vanilla also coming through. The palate shows barely a hint of black tea, with the dark fruit overpowering everything else. This is where the raspberry is the strongest. It's a smooth sip, with soft tannins and a refreshing acidity. I paired it with my beef bourguignon and it was quite nice.  

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