If you're a bourbon fan, you're likely drawn to bold flavors—oak spice, caramel, dark fruit. The good news? Some red wines speak that same language with tannic structure, depth, and rich complexity. In this post, we explore full‑bodied reds perfect for sipping alongside—or instead of—bourbon, and highlight top picks available at Blackwell’s Wines & Spirits.
Why Bourbon Lovers Should Explore Red Wine
- Bold Flavor Profile: Just like bourbons with spice and fruit, many full-bodied reds deliver notes of blackberry, leather, tobacco, and baking spice.
- Similar Tannic Structure: The mouthfeel of a tannic red mirrors bourbon’s richness, with both carrying depth and persistence on the palate.
- Complementary Pairings: Reds enhance smoky meats, barbecue dishes, and aged cheeses—perfect pairings for bourbon lovers’ palates.
1. Pahlmeyer 2021 Insignia Estate-Grown Red Wine (Napa Valley)
This opulent blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Malbec features cassis, dark chocolate, and graphite with silky tannins and serious aging potential.
2. Stringer Cellars 2021 “Metal Bender” Red Blend (Napa Valley)
Explosive on the nose with graphite, black cherry, violet, and red fruits. This blend of Cabernet, Syrah, and Petite Sirah brings both elegance and intensity.
3. Leonetti Reserve 2021 Red Wine (Walla Walla)
Powerful and layered, this Cabernet-dominant blend includes Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Merlot. Notes of red fruit, graphite, tobacco, and spring florals make it velvety and intense.
4. Caymus 2022 California Cabernet Sauvignon
Plush, fruit-forward, and approachable yet structured. Enjoy ripe blackberry, plum, mocha, and vanilla—with a warming softness that parallels bourbon’s sweetness.
5. Delectus 2016 Boulder Falls Cabernet Sauvignon (Knights Valley)
A bold, structured Cabernet with plum, black licorice, mushroom, espresso, and bittersweet chocolate. Rich and layered—great for hearty food or meditation-mode sipping.
6. Bardstown Bourbon “Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon Finish” Bourbon
Yes—this is still bourbon, but finished in wine barrels. It blends baked strawberries, plum, roasted nuts, cinnamon, cocoa, and tannic blackberry notes—creating the best of both worlds.
Shop Bardstown’s Wine-Finished Bourbon.
7. Chicken Cock “Red Stave” Petite Sirah Finish Bourbon
A bourbon aged in Petite Sirah barrels, evoking lush, jammy characteristics with a whiskey backbone—lava-cake meets leather armchair.
Explore Chicken Cock Red Stave.
Pairing Tips for Bourbon Drinkers
- Match Body to Body: Bold reds and bourbons balance each other out—don’t go with light or overly delicate wines.
- Look for Oak Influence: Both oak-aged wine and bourbon share vanilla, toast, and spice—seeking those overlaps brings harmony.
- Use a Wide Mouth Glass: Helps release aromas like leather, dried fruit, tobacco, and cedar.
- Start Neat, Then Try Ice: Experience the wine’s depth–and then see how ice changes texture similar to a whiskey drop.
Beyond the Bottle: Wine Collections for Bourbon Drinkers
Blackwell’s Wines & Spirits offers collections designed to appeal to whiskey lovers exploring the wine world:
- Domestic Cabernet Sauvignon Collection—rich, structured reds with an oak-forward profile.
- Syrah & Rhône-Style Reds—spiced, bold, and fruity, ideal for pairing with smoky BBQ and bourbon.
Why This Pairing Works
Both bourbon and these wines share flavor DNA: full-bodied profiles, mature oak influence, and complexity rooted in barrel aging. They bridge palate preferences and open doors to new flavor experiences—perfect for bourbon enthusiasts venturing into wine.
Final Toast
Whether you want to sip a plush Napa Cabernet next to a burning wood fire or savor a rich red as a welcome counterpoint to a roasted dinner, these full-bodied wines are a natural fit for bourbon lovers. Start exploring your next favorite pour in our curated collections—where bold meets beautiful.
