Exitus Red Wine

Exitus Red Wine is a bourbon barrel-aged California red blend bottled at 15.9% ABV in a 750ml bottle. Scoring 91 points from Tasting Panel magazine for its 2016 vintage, this bold red stands out for its unique production process — aging in charred Kentucky bourbon barrels that impart layers of caramel, smoke, and vanilla into a fruit-forward wine.

Quick Facts: ABV: 15.9%  |  Origin: California, USA  |  Bourbon Barrel-Aged Red Blend  |  Producer: O'Neill Vintners & Distillers

Production & Heritage

O'Neill Vintners & Distillers, based in Parlier, California, produces Exitus as part of a growing category of bourbon barrel-aged wines. The blend combines Zinfandel, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, and Merlot — fermented in American stainless steel tanks before spending three months in mature Kentucky bourbon barrels. What distinguishes the process is that those bourbon barrels are set ablaze before aging, creating a visibly blackened, charred interior; the caramelized wood sugars from this charring react with the wine to deliver bourbon's signature mellow, smoky profile without any actual spirit blending.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Deep ruby in the glass, Exitus opens with blackberry compote, leather, and dusty dark chocolate. Beneath that first wave, the bourbon barrel influence reveals itself through fire-toasted oak, baking spices, caramel, and loose-leaf tobacco.

Taste: The entry is ripe and generous — blackberry jam and dark cherry arrive first, followed by a mid-palate layered with toffee-laden dark plum and nutmeg. The finish of the palate brings smoky oak and vanilla into focus, supported by balanced tannins that keep the wine's considerable 15.9% ABV from veering into hot territory. The overall impression lands between dry and off-dry.

Finish: Medium-long with lingering caramel, toasty oak, and sweet tobacco. A subtle smokiness hangs on the palate, recalling the charred barrel environment where the wine matured.

How to Drink Exitus

Exitus drinks well slightly below room temperature, around 60–65°F, which tames the high alcohol and lets the dark fruit shine without amplifying the sweetness. Decanting for 20–30 minutes opens up the barrel-influenced aromatics. For cocktail-curious drinkers: try it in a Red Wine Sangria, where the caramel and spice notes pair naturally with brandy and citrus; a Kalimotxo (red wine and cola), where the smoky oak plays against the cola's sweetness; or a Mulled Wine, where the existing baking spice character means less work with additional seasonings.

Best For

• Bourbon drinkers exploring the crossover into wine
• Backyard barbecue dinners featuring smoked or grilled meats
• Gifting someone who gravitates toward bold, high-ABV reds
• Casual weekend sipping when a fruit-forward, approachable red is the goal

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Exitus taste like? Exitus delivers ripe blackberry, dark cherry, and caramel up front, followed by smoky oak, vanilla, baking spices, and a touch of sweet tobacco from its bourbon barrel aging. The tannins are balanced and the overall impression is rich and slightly off-dry.

How does Exitus compare to 1000 Stories Bourbon Barrel-Aged Zinfandel? Both wines occupy the bourbon barrel-aged red category, but Exitus is a five-grape blend (Zinfandel, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, and Merlot) while 1000 Stories focuses primarily on Zinfandel. The multi-varietal structure of Exitus tends to deliver more complexity and tannic grip alongside its barrel-driven sweetness.

Is Exitus good for bourbon lovers trying wine? Yes — the three months of aging in charred Kentucky bourbon barrels gives Exitus recognizable caramel, vanilla, and smoky oak notes that bourbon drinkers will find familiar, making it an effective bridge into red wine.

Where is Exitus made? Exitus is produced by O'Neill Vintners & Distillers in Parlier, California, located in the San Joaquin Valley. The grapes are sourced from California vineyards and the wine is aged in Kentucky bourbon barrels.

What foods pair well with Exitus? Smoked brisket or pulled pork, where the wine's smoky oak mirrors the meat's char; dark chocolate desserts, which echo the wine's cocoa notes; sharp aged cheddar, whose tang cuts through the caramel richness; grilled lamb chops seasoned with rosemary and black pepper; and glazed baby back ribs with a bourbon-based barbecue sauce.

What sizes does Exitus come in? Exitus Red Wine is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle.

Is Exitus worth the price? Exitus positions as an accessible, value-tier bourbon barrel-aged red — a strong entry point into the category that delivers noticeable barrel character and a 91-point Tasting Panel score without demanding a premium price.

Why Exitus?

The bourbon barrel-aged wine category has grown crowded, but Exitus distinguishes itself with a genuine production technique: the barrels are physically set ablaze to create deep char before the wine ever touches the wood, a step that goes beyond simply reusing spent bourbon cooperage. The five-grape blend — anchored by Zinfandel's fruit intensity and structured by Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon — gives it more dimension than single-varietal competitors. A Silver medal at the San Francisco International Wine Competition and 91 points from Tasting Panel confirm that the approach works. For anyone drawn to big, dark, barrel-influenced reds that blur the line between winery and distillery, Exitus earns serious consideration.