Cooper & Thief Red Wine Blend is a bourbon barrel-aged California red wine bottled at 16% ABV in a 750ml bottle. The 2021 vintage earned a Gold medal at the Critics Challenge Wine Competition, validating a production approach that walks the line between winemaking and whiskey culture with striking precision.Quick Facts: ABV: 16% | Origin: Lodi, California, USA | Bourbon Barrel-Aged Red Blend | Producer: Cooper and Thief CellarmastersProduction & HeritageCooper and Thief Cellarmasters sources fruit from Lodi, one of California's most prolific warm-climate growing regions, and assembles a multi-varietal blend of 38% Merlot, 37% Syrah, 11% Zinfandel, 7% Petite Sirah, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3% other red blenders. The finished wine then spends three months aging in used bourbon whiskey barrels — a window Cellarmaster Jeff Kasavan and his team arrived at through years of experimentation to ensure the bourbon character enhances rather than overwhelms the wine. The result is a bold, dark-fruited red with unmistakable bourbon barrel influence at a notably high 16% ABV.Tasting NotesAroma: Warm, toasty vanilla rises first, followed by ripe blackberry and dark currant. Underneath, gentle bourbon spice and a trace of charred oak add complexity without dominating the fruit.Taste: The entry is immediately jammy — black cherry and plum flood the palate alongside a pronounced vanilla-infused, maple-bourbon sweetness. The mid-palate thickens with dark currant and ripe Syrah fruit, while tannins remain remarkably soft and barely perceptible. At peak, the bourbon barrel character is most evident, delivering warm spice and a rich, almost decadent texture.Finish: Long-lasting and flavor-driven, with dark fruit and bourbon vanilla lingering well past the final sip. The finish favors fruit intensity over tannic grip, making it feel silky and smooth throughout.How to Drink Cooper & ThiefThis wine drinks well slightly below room temperature, around 60–65°F, and benefits from 15–20 minutes of air after opening to let the barrel-derived aromatics fully develop. Its bold sweetness and spice also make it unexpectedly versatile in cocktails: Red Wine Old Fashioned: The bourbon barrel aging gives it natural affinity for bitters and orange peel, making it a seamless swap for whiskey in this classic. Kalimotxo (Red Wine & Cola): The jammy, high-ABV profile stands up to cola without losing its identity, adding a bourbon-spiced twist to this Spanish staple. Mulled Wine: The existing vanilla and baking spice notes mean you need less added sweetener; simply warm with cinnamon, star anise, and citrus peel. Best For Introducing a whiskey drinker to the world of red wine Fall and winter entertaining alongside hearty comfort food A bold after-dinner pour in place of a traditional dessert wine Gifting someone who enjoys boundary-pushing, barrel-aged beverages Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Cooper & Thief taste like? It delivers intensely jammy blackberry, black cherry, and dark currant flavors layered with vanilla, maple, and bourbon spice from its barrel aging. Tannins are very soft, and the finish is long, fruit-forward, and warming.How does Cooper & Thief compare to Apothic Inferno? Both are bourbon barrel-aged California red blends, but Cooper & Thief sits higher at 16% ABV and leans into a jammier, more fruit-dominant profile with a silkier texture. Some drinkers find Cooper & Thief delivers a more restrained bourbon influence that lets the wine's character remain in focus.Is Cooper & Thief good for sipping neat? Yes — the soft tannins, rich fruit, and bourbon-barrel sweetness make it approachable on its own, especially when served slightly cool and given a few minutes to open up in the glass.Where is Cooper & Thief made? Cooper and Thief Cellarmasters produces this wine in Lodi, California, a warm-climate appellation in the Central Valley known for bold, ripe red wines, particularly Zinfandel and Syrah.What foods pair well with Cooper & Thief? Smoked brisket or pulled pork matches its bourbon barrel character. BBQ ribs with a sweet glaze echo its jammy profile. Dark chocolate desserts complement its vanilla and spice. Aged cheddar or Gouda mirrors its richness. Pecan pie amplifies the maple and toasty oak notes.What sizes does Cooper & Thief come in? Cooper & Thief Red Wine Blend is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.Is Cooper & Thief worth the price? It positions as an accessible, mid-range bottle within the bourbon barrel-aged wine category, delivering a distinctive production method and bold flavor profile that punches above many wines at a similar price tier.Why Cooper & Thief?The three-month bourbon barrel aging period is the defining detail here — long enough to impart genuine vanilla, char, and spice character, but calibrated to prevent the wine from tasting like flavored whiskey. The Gold medal at the Critics Challenge Wine Competition confirms that the balance works. At 16% ABV with a five-grape blend anchored by Merlot and Syrah, this is a genuinely big wine that nonetheless drinks with surprising smoothness thanks to its barely-there tannins and fruit-driven finish. For drinkers who straddle the line between wine and whiskey, Cooper & Thief occupies a category of its own.
