Graffigna Centenario Elevation Red Blend Reserve

Graffigna Centenario Elevation

Red Blend Reserve

Vintage: 2012

San Juan, Argentina

It's no secret I'm a huge fan of wines from Argentina.  Probably a good third of the wines I've reviewed here on Bob's Brew and Liquor Reviews have been from Argentina.  Something about that place is magical... at least for wine making!

So for now, we're looking at reviewing a new wine from Graffigna, their 2012 Centenario Elevation Red Blend Reserve.

Red Bicyclette Syrah

Red Bicyclette Syrah

2009

France

Vin de Pays d'Oc Appelation

Red Bicyclette Syrah is another Syrah which brings up the discussion of Syrah versus Shiraz.  If you're familiar with these wines, you'll already know they're the same grape.  The difference is in their characteristics determined by where they are grown...

Primal Roots Red Blend

Primal Roots Red Blend

2010

Merlot, Syrah, Zinfandel Blend

California

Here is another red wine blend from California, the 2010 Primal Roots Red Blend.  

I always find blends interesting.  Not necessarily because they're all that good, but because this is the result of someone trying to mix a few different styles of wine from multiple batches and vintages and come out with something that tastes desirable.  At least that's their hope, I'm sure.  Blends usually seem to be mild and easy-going, with only a couple here and there worth seeking out.

Purple Cowboy Tenacious Red

Purple Cowboy

Tenacious Red

Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah Blend 

 Vintage: 2010

Origin: California

Paso Robles Appellation

Purple Cowboy.

That's right, Purple Cowboy.

In an extremely juvenile way, I find that name kind of funny.  I almost want to make a Brokeback Mountain reference or tell a dirty joke.  The name just sounds like some sort of innuendo.  Purple Cowboy.  My wife actually didn't believe me at first that this was the wine's real name.  True story.

But, we're here for the drinks.  So, let's get to it.

Purple Cowboy is supposedly named after a group of early California cowboys/winemakers who made dark wine which stained their teeth purple.  I don't know if that's true, but the name certainly gets your attention.  And again, I kind of want to tell a dirty joke.

Anyway, this is the 2010 Purple Cowboy Tenacious Red, a Californian Cabernet-Syrah blend.  It pours a dark purple (imagine that!) and has strong aromas of blackberries, black cherries, and a touch of spice and leather.  Tastings brings sweet cherries, dark fruit, and chocolate followed by an unusually short finish.

This is a confusing wine for me.  It smells dark, luscious, and sinful but tastes very sweet and cherry-forward with a short finish.  Meaning it smells much better than it tastes.  Now there's nothing awful about it and it's certainly quite drinkable, but it tastes kind of ordinary, especially following the delicious aromas.  

So, there you go.  Not bad, not great.  

But perhaps at least, it'll stain your teeth purple so you can throw on your sexy chaps and dance around like a Purple Cowboy.  Or something.

Drink This: if you want a reasonably cheap Cabernet-Syrah blend that tastes of sweet cherries, but smells luscious and dark.

Don't Drink This: if you're not down with the Purple Cowboy.  And I don't really know what I mean by that...

Cheers! 

              

Layer Cake Shiraz

Layer Cake Shiraz

Pure Love Wines

Vintage: 2010

Origin: Southern Australia

Alcohol: 14.1%

Awhile back I reviewed the Layer Cake Malbec (yes, that's a link to the review, go check it out) and was utterly surprised with how tasty it was.  

Granted, I'm a Malbec lover.
  

But seriously, it was good.

That was my first tasting of a Layer Cake wine and I said I would try to track down their other varietals.  

Well, I did.

So, here we are.

This is the 2010 Layer Cake Shiraz.  Go check out my other Shiraz reviews to see my write-ups about the differences between Shiraz and Syrah (*Hint, they're the same grape, but different style due to growing conditions).  Like many Shiraz wines, this is made from grapes grown in Southern Australia.  According to Layer Cake (owned by Pure Love Wines):

For our Shiraz, we pull from vineyards in McLaren Vale and the Barossa Valley; from the sandy soiled blocks on the sea coast of Gulf St. Vincent, to the Terra Rosa based, tiny-berried wind-blown rolling hills in the Barossa Zone. The microclimates give us a broad array of flavors to blend into a complex, rich, full wine. 

Anyone who drinks enough wine knows that where grapes are grown does play a huge role in a wine's characteristics (this concept is called terroir).  This is likely why I have yet to try a great wine from the mountains of Idaho (Dear Idaho winemakers, send me tasting samples to prove me wrong!).  Regardless, I've had most of the Layer Cake wines now (reviews coming soon) and they consistently seem to source great grapes.

The 2010 Layer Cake Shiraz pours a deep, dark purple and has aromas of spiced plums, blackberry jam, and vanilla.  It tastes quite jammy with more of the blackberry jam, plums, black cherry, dark chocolate, and a good bit of oak and pepper.  The tannins and moderate and the finish is relatively smooth.

Like the Layer Cake Malbec, I would have liked a bit more tannins.  But as it stands, this wine is a tasty, dark fruit-forward, jammy (without being overly sweet) Shiraz.

  

One thing is for sure, the Layer Cake wines are not subtle nor are they lacking in flavor.  Personally, I prefer that approach over a wine that's so subtle you think it may have been watered down with, well, water.

I like this wine, but not nearly as much as the Layer Cake Malbec (which, by the way, is one of the few bottles of wine I have bought more than once this year).

Drink This: if you want a flavorful, dark-fruit bomb of a Shiraz.  This is not subtle.  Like most Layer Cake wines, you should be able to find it for around $12-15 a bottle if you check around, although I've seen it priced at $19 before.

Don't Drink This: if you want a subtle, dry, subdued wine (how did you know I was going to say that?! Hahaha). 

  

 Cheers, my friends!  

   

 

Rex Goliath Free Range Red

Rex Goliath

Free Range Red

Wine Blend

Origin: California

Vintage: ?

Alcohol: 13.85%

Yes, yes, I'm pretty sure my glass in this photo contains about half that bottle of wine.  Not ideal for swirling and smelling, but good for drinking.  Hey, I'm only human.  And it's an extremely cheap bottle of wine anyway...

I've seen the Rex Goliath wines on the store shelves all over the place and I've always wondered what the heck was up with the rooster on the label?  Well, according to the winery, Rex Goliath was a giant 47 pound rooster that was part of a Texas circus act, and the label is based on the circus banner that advertised this giant bird.  So why do they use the rooster as the basis for their winery?  Hell if I know.  Their winery isn't even in Texas, it's in California.  I don't get it.  Oh well, not everything in the world has to make sense.  Regardless, having a big rooster on your label does make it stand out from the horde of beige wine labels on the shelves, even if it's not in a classy way. 

Rex Goliath is a California-based winery that makes, well, cheap, budget wines.  They're known primarily for their budget Cabernet Sauvignon, but now, I'm looking at their Free Range Red.  This wine is reportedly a blend of Zinfandel and Syrah, although exact percentages are unknown.  There is no vintage on this blend, so I'm betting the winemaker just tries to make it taste the same every year, which depending on the years' weather and yields, could be a tricky feat.

Rex Goliath Free Range Red pours a deep, brick red.  It smells primarily of strawberries, with a bit of raspberry.  You take a sip and get exactly what you'd expect, more fruity, sweet strawberries and raspberries.  Tannins and any oak are pretty much non-existent here.  The finish is short and simple, as is, well, the entire experience of drinking this wine.  Now I'm not saying it's bad, I've certainly had worse cheap red wines and there are no off-flavors, but it's just a bit boring.  Okay, really boring.  Really boring, simple, and straightforward.  That being said, it is as the label describes it, "sweet and juicy."

Drink This: if you like your red wines super cheap, sweet, and easy-drinking... which I know a lot of people do.

Don't Drink This: if you want a red wine with depth, oak, or tannins.  This has none of these things.  You could do much worse for a budget wine, but I'd rather pay an extra couple of dollars and get something with a bit more flavor.  I believe this was only $4...

Cheers!           

Big House Red Wine

 

Big House Red

Red Wine Blend

Vintage: 2011

Origin: California

Alcohol: 13.5%

It's not often that I drink boxed wine and actually, this is the first boxed wine that I've formally reviewed here on this blog.  Not that boxed wines are bad, but they tend to have a sketchy reputation.  Fortunately for the wine drinkers among us, boxed wines are making a turn for the better.  This is one such wine... 

This is the 2011 Big House Red, a red wine blend that is comprised of over 15 different wine varieties!  Does that sound crazy?  Yes.  Because it is crazy.  I have a feeling somebody just tried to embody the whole Go Big or Go Home idea and thought, "Hey, why not!!!"  In a way, it's kind of like when you were a kid and would mix ten different kinds of fountain soda together and called it a "suicide."  It's kind of like that... except this stuff actually tastes good.  According to the data sheet this stuff is:

19% Grenache 

17% Syrah 

16% Tempranillo 

14% Petite Verdot 

6% Mourvedre 

4% Sagrantino 

3% Malbec 

2% Negro Amaro 

1% Teraldego

1% Petite Sirah 

1% Tannat 

and 5% Other Esoteric Reds.

The grapes were cold soaked for a couple of days, then fermented at 60-65'F for two weeks.  The wine was then malolatic fermented and a small portion of it put in oak.  To say there's a lot going on here between the wine-making process and the 15+ varietals of grapes would be an understatement.  To my palette, it tastes primarily of Syrah and Tempranillo, but you can definitely tell there's other stuff going on and some flavors that are difficulty to pinpoint.  

It pours a transluscent ruby red and has aromas of cherry, raspberry, and a hint of pepper.  On the palette, it's very fruit-heavy with sweet red cherries, red raspberries, a bit of plum and cranberry, and a mild touch of earth and oak in the finish.  The tannins are moderate, smooth and well-balanced.  

Big House Red is fruity, jammy, and sweet without being cloying, and the moderate tannins really help balance out all the fruit.  There's quite a bit going on here through all the red fruit flavors, with a lot of mild background notes.  This actually surprised me and I kept taking another sip just trying to pinpoint all its nuances.  

I'd say this 15+ wine varietal blend is a success, especially at $22 for a 3 liter box.  But yeah, it also comes in regular 750 mL bottles if you just don't want to buy a boxed wine.  Granted, though, the box version will keep for 6 weeks after opening... totally worth it. 

If you're curious about the Big House wines, back in the Fall I reviewed their Cabernet Sauvignon and their "Naked" Chardonnay.  Check it out...

Drink This: if you want a fruity red wine with lots going on and good balance.  I say opt for the box version, if you're going to buy it.

Don't Drink This: if you want a dry, dark, and brooding red.  This is a much more light-hearted, fun wine, but complex nonetheless.  

Cheers!              

Sawtooth Snake River Valley Skyline Red Wine

Sawtooth

Skyline Red Wine

Snake River Valley

Nampa, Idaho

Vintage: 2006

When most people think of Idaho, they think of potatoes and wildlife... or if you're a liquor geek, then maybe you think of potato vodka.  Or maybe you're awesome and think of Napoleon Dynamite (yes, it was filmed in the glorious middle of nowhere, Idaho).  But amazingly, even though Idaho looks like this 8 out of 12 months:

 

...the Sawtooth Winery is still able to somehow grow several grape varietals.  Granted they are in Nampa, a warmer part of the state, but still, who would have thought that growing wine in Idaho would be a good idea.  Certainly not me.

This is the Sawtooth Winery's Skyline Red blend, the 2006 vintage to be exact.  From what I have read, it changes quite a bit in composition each year.  The 2006 is 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Syrah, 8% Merlot, and 1% Cabernet Franc.  In theory it sounds like it's going to be a great blend, but... maybe not so much.

It pours a dark, brownish ruby red.  It has aromas of dark fruits, prunes, black cherry that carry into the palette much like you'd expect: more dark fruits, cherry, raspberry, raisin, a touch of spice, and something oddly sour and herbal that lingers in the finish (almost like a combination of bay leaf and cilantro).  The tannins are light to moderate.

Overall, this is an interesting wine, if not a touch lighter than I would prefer, but the weird, lingering finish doesn't quite set well with me.  Perhaps my bottle was corked, I don't know.  I will try this again if I get the chance and update this post with the findings.  If this is the way the winemaker intended it, then sorry, I'm not a fan.  

If you want something from Idaho, I suggest sticking to the potatoes, vodka, elk, and venison.  And oh yeah, there's some decent beer, too.  There are probably a few good reasons why Idaho isn't wine country...

Drink This: if, well no, I wouldn't recommend it, at least if my bottle wasn't corked and this is how it was supposed to taste.  I actually used the second half of my bottle to cook a tasty marinara with.

Don't Drink This: exactly.       

 

Bodega Elena de Mendoza Red Blend

Bodega Elena de Mendoza

Red Blend

Vintage: 2010

Origin: Mendoza, Argentina

Alcohol: 13.8%

Every time I see a wine blend not only do I wonder what varieties are in the wine, but why are they blending the wine to begin with?  Are they trying to simply create a new expression or merely blending some sub-par grapes with something else to make a better wine?  Unfortunately, most blended wines tend to be either full of funky, off-flavors or rather bland.

Here we have the 2010 vintage Red Blend from Bodega Elena de Mendoza, obviously out of Argentina.  And what do you expect from Argentina?  That's right, a Malbec.  Previously I've professed my love for Malbecs, but this one is not just Malbec, but a blend with Malbec being the primary varietal at 62%,  with the remainder being 21% Syrah and 17% Bonarda.  Bonarda is an old-school Argentinian grape that was their primary variety prior to the Malbec explosion. 

This wine pours a deep red, almost purple with aromas of plums and raspberry.  The fruit continues onto the palette with more raspberry, black cherries, and a touch of mild herbal notes.  The acidity is pretty mild, as are the tannins.  

This wine is fruity and sweet, without much complexity or anything you'd look for in a more expensive wine.  It's a decent everyday type of wine, maybe enjoyed while watching a movie and eating pizza, but like I said earlier, blends tend to fall into two categories, funky or bland.  This one is clearly the second type.

Drink This: if you want a simple, everyday fruity red wine.

Don't Drink This: if you're hoping it's as good as Bodega Elena de Mendoza's Malbec, because it's not.  Their Malbec is far superior, in my honest opinion.        

Root: 1 Cabernet Sauvignon

Root: 1

Cabernet Sauvignon

Vintage: 2009
85% Cabernet Sauvignon
15% Syrah

Origin: Colchagua Valley, Chile
Alcohol: 14%

Well, here we have another of the big reds, a Cabernet Sauvignon.  This particular bottle is the 2009 vintage Cab from Root: 1, which is made by the Viña Ventisquero winery out of Chile.  The grapes in this were grown high in the Colchagua Valley where the landscape is steep and rocky.  It is reported that it didn't rain a single time during the growing season for this vintage, which some believe makes the grapes more full-flavored due to them compensating for the harsher conditions.  And yes, that makes sense, but I don't know if it necessarily makes a better wine in the end.

Anyway, this 2009 Root: 1 Cabernet blend is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Syrah, with Syrah of course being the lighter, spicier version of Shiraz (they are the same grape, after all).  This wine pours a dark ruby and has aromas of black cherry, plum, and mocha.  On the palette, it has more notes of cherry, blackberry, and a touch of oak.  It is full-bodied, with medium tannins and acidity.

While this is a decent Cabernet Sauvignon, there's nothing that really stands out here.  It is easy-drinking, relatively smooth, and pretty straightforward.  There's nothing remarkable or all that interesting about it.  Well, except the bottle art.  The artwork is pretty cool.  

Drink This: if you want a straightforward, easy-drinking, typical Cabernet Sauvignon with a cool looking bottle. 

Don't Drink This: if you want a complex or challenging Cabernet.  This is about as straightforward as they come.  It's not bad, but just kind of plain at the $10-12 price point.  Interestingly enough though, this is one of the best-selling Chilean wines.  I guess because it's entirely unoffensive and easy-drinking.      

2009 Apothic Red Winemaker's Blend

 2009 Apothic Red Winemaker's Blend

Origin: California

Alcohol: 13.1%

When most people have big, juicy extra thick-cut ribeye steaks or smoky, succulent barbecue they probably consider drinking ice-cold beer.  Nothing wrong with that.  Nothing wrong at all.  It seems to fit with the idea of spending time outside in the heat tending the grill.  But for me, the thing that I prefer with grilled or smoked meat is one thing... red wine.  Maybe I'm just fancy like that.  Okay, probably not.  I just really enjoy red wine.

Apothic Wines out of California win my award for coolest-looking wine label.  Their wine release this year is the 2009 Apothic Red Winemaker's Blend which combines Syrah, Zinfandel, and Merlot in some unknown proportion.  Here's what they have to say about their wine,

Apothic Red reveals intense fruit aromas and flavors of rhubarb and black cherry that are complemented by hints of mocha, chocolate, brown spice and vanilla. The plush, velvety mouthfeel and smooth finish round out this intriguing, full-bodied red blend.  

And for the most part, I would have to agree.  For my palette, the cherry seems the most dominant both in the aroma and taste, with their being some distinct oak that doesn't show up in their tasting notes.  The mouthfeel really is silky smooth and wonderful like they say.  

Overall, the 2009 Apothic Red Winemaker's Blend is much lighter to drink than many similar blends I've tried, but still very flavorful, complex, and just damn tasty.  Plus, it's relatively cheap.  Too bad I didn't get a chance to try the 2008.          

Drink This: if you want one of the best cheap Red wine blends I've had in awhile.  Really quite the bargain for how tasty it is.
Don't Drink This: if you don't like red wines or get the dreaded red-wine headache.  But seriously, this is very tasty, high-quality wine for the price.