...a bottle of wine and thou

Vampire Merlot

Price: $14
Type: Merlot
Cork: attractive red artificial
Rating: 8
Purchased: Jungle Jim's

I bought this wine as a joke present for a pair of Goth friends. They invited us over to sample it, again as a sort of horrific joke. To our mutual surprise, it's a surprisingly drinkable wine, especially for the price.

In fact, I liked it so much I not only replaced their bottle, but picked up a couple for myself the next time I visited Jungle Jim's. The label is very eye catching. After all, who wouldn't be tempted by "Vampire" wine made in Transylvania? Okay, people with taste. Those of us with a sense of humor want a bottle just for display.

I suspect most Merlot drinkers would disagree with my 8 rating. My problem with Merlot is I don't like a heavy oak taste in my wine. While Vampire Merlot is allegedly aged in American Oak for six months, it somehow doesn't have that overwhelmingly oaky flavor that makes me turn my nose at most Merlot. In this case, I can taste the grapes, which are mellow and smooth. The wine has a mild nose to go with the mellow flavor.

If you like the taste of a usual Merlot, you'll hate this wine. If you dislike Merlot, give this bottle a try. You'll be pleasantly surprised.

posted by Chris Rachael Oseland at 5:05 AM | 3 comment(s)

Solaris Special Release Pinot Noir

Price: $12
Type: Pinot Noir
Cork: plain jane natural
Rating: 6
Purchased: Jungle Jim's

This wine is almost worth it for the bottle alone. Of course, I write Science Fiction, so of course I'd be tempted by a bottle with a giant solar flare on the front.

The scent is disappointingly mild. You have to stick your nose deep into the glass before you can smell it at all. The flavor itself is pretty uniform from the tip of the tongue to the back, though it has a sharp tangy aftertaste. The wine itself isn't all that exciting, but at the same time, it's not bland or vinegary or sugary sweet.

All in all, I'd say this is an inoffensive but unexceptional wine, not bad for a second or third bottle if you can't afford to get your friends drunk on the good stuff.

posted by Chris Rachael Oseland at 9:42 PM | 0 comment(s)

5 reds to try again

I'm afraid I was lax in my April reviews. I've got five empty bottles here which I vaguely enjoy drinking. I should buy them again and give them real reviews. At least one of them was really good, but I can't remember which. This is a good reminder why I write reviews. :)

LoTengo Malbec
Alamos Malbec
Rubens Tempranillo
Jindalee Cabernet Sauvignon
House Wine brand California Red

posted by Chris Rachael Oseland at 9:19 AM | 2 comment(s)