Psydr Short & To-The-Point Wine Reviews
Below are reviews of fun little finds purchased locally. The typical cost per bottle is $10 or less, and the label probably has a little more pizazz than your traditional Barolo. But don't judge the bottle by the label. These reviews are personal and certainly non-professional evaluations of wines we've tried. Enjoy!
November 6, 2008
October 25, 2008
1 Reviews:
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October 25, 2008 5:51 PM ,
psydr said...
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2 OUT OF 5 STARS
A plumy and bitter Malbec. Honestly, this is what I traditionally expect from a Malbec. It's just that I've had the pleasure of consuming some really delicious, non-standard Malbecs as of late. And in comparison this one is a bit of a disappointment. But maybe it shouldn't be. If you tend to enjoy Malbecs, then this bottle may be for you. It IS quite earthy. I'm just not digging it.
I type this review in the cafe where the bottle was purchased. A nice place. Very poche, uncrowded, and relaxing. I might as well as give them a little free advertising here. It's called Geneve Cafe & Wine Bar. Stop in for a coffee or sandwich... or bottle of wine.
October 24, 2008
2007 Working Girl Wines Go Girl Red
YEAR: 2007WINERY: Working Girl Wines
FLAVOR: Red, 85% Merlot, 15% Lemberger
ORIGIN: Columbia Valley, USA
PURCHASED: Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $10
NICKNAME: "Working Girl Awful"
Labels: 0 STAR, 2007, Lemberger, Merlot, Mixed Varietal, Red, USA, Working Girl Wines
1 Reviews:
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October 24, 2008 1:27 AM ,
psydr said...
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0 OUT OF 5 STARS
This is cran-raspberry juice with a wine label slapped on it. Nothing more. Seriously, I'm appalled someone actually decided to bottle this stuff and SELL it (as wine). It is no wonder I found it on sale for $9.99 marked down from $15.99. I can't imagine anyone was willing to pay such a hefty fee for such swill. At least not more than once. The first round of buyers were suckered, plain and simple. I'm curious as to what percentage of these sales ended up poured down the drain. Surely none have finished a bottle. Not without gagging.
Perhaps this IS a breakfast wine. It might be a decent replacement for orange juice on occation... Well, not really. It's just terrible. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say this is the worst wine I've reviewed to date.
Barf!
October 18, 2008
1 Reviews:
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October 27, 2008 9:23 PM ,
psydr said...
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3 OUT OF 5 STARS
Not a bad Cabernet. Dark purple in color which is consistant for a cab. It has that standard Cabernet bite. Just a tinge of bitter and tannins. Then there is a slight sweetness to the palate. This is unexpected for a Cabernet, yet I feel it balances the beverage quite nicely. The aftertaste has a slight flavor of metal. If I had to pick a metal, I'd choose tin to describe it. While there IS an earthy tone to the wine, I feel the metalic portion slightly overwhelms. Therefore, only 3 STARS.
September 8, 2008
2007 The Wolftrap Syrah
YEAR: 2007WINERY: The Wolftrap
FLAVOR: Red, 60% Syrah, 39% Mourvedre, 1% Viognier
ORIGIN: Western Cape, South Africa
PURCHASED: Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $11
NICKNAME: "Mixed Wolf"
Labels: 2007, 4 STAR, Mixed Varietal, Mourvedre, Red, South Africa, Syrah, The Wolftrap, Viognier
1 Reviews:
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September 9, 2008 9:35 AM ,
psydr said...
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This is a very nice wine. There's a slightly woody/oak palate with a bouquet of cherry and other red berries. Smooth going down, and a nice color. Not too shabby. It even complimented the stir fry I wokked up for dinner this evening. In general this is a good purchase. And even though it's a tad over our proverbial $10 ceiling, I would recommend it to any of you wishing to try a wine from South Africa.
This is our first South African wine review. They're off to a good start!
September 7, 2008
2007 Gato Negro Merlot
YEAR: 2007WINERY: Gato Negro
FLAVOR: Red, Merlot
ORIGIN: Central Valley, Chile
PURCHASED: Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $7
NICKNAME: "Black Cat Merlot"
1 Reviews:
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At
September 7, 2008 9:33 PM ,
psydr said...
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2 OUT OF 5 STARS
Honestly, this is more of a 1 STAR wine in my opinion. It's mostly flavorless and a little too chewy for my liking. The smoothness kinda makes up for the uber legs. But in general, I just can't describe this vino as "good." Don't get me wrong. It's not terrible either.
So, why do I give the bottle a 2 STAR rating? Because my father has always enjoyed this wine. And, if he likes it, it can't be awful.
August 28, 2008
2007 Yellow Tail Shiraz
YEAR: 2007WINERY: Yellow Tail
FLAVOR: Red, Shiraz
ORIGIN: South East Australia
PURCHASED: Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $9
NICKNAME: "Hoppin' Shiraz"
1 Reviews:
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August 28, 2008 9:27 PM ,
psydr said...
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4 OUT OF 5 STARS
With it's strong berry influence and it's near complete lack of tannins or bitter aftertaste, I think Yellow Tail is bound to have another hit on their hands. Bravo Yellow Tail! This is a very good Shiraz.
Of note: One thing missing is a wee bit of earthy palate. The bottle would benefit from a little more substance. As is, the flavor suggests a lack of aging in oak barrels... keeping me from awarding the beverage with the coveted 5 STAR rating. I'll bet this bottle could use a little more time in the racks. Perhaps a year or more. Too bad I rarely have such patience. Good thing for YOU!
Using the new site search option here on Psydr Wine Reviews, I was quickly able to find my previous review of the 2006 vintage. I also gave it a 4 STAR rating. Nothing better than a consistent winery.
July 26, 2008
2007 The Little Penguin Cabernet Sauvignon
YEAR: 2007WINERY: The Little Penguin
FLAVOR: Red, Cabernet Sauvignon
ORIGIN: South Eastern Australia
PURCHASED: Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $8
NICKNAME: "Little Penguin Cabernet"
Labels: 1 STAR, 2007, Australia, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red, The Little Penguin
1 Reviews:
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July 26, 2008 12:48 PM ,
psydr said...
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1 OUT OF 5 STARS
This stuff is sickeningly sweet. It's so thick and syrup-like I required multiple attempts at swallowing to get it down. Seriously, this wine could use some more time in the bin before consumption. Perhaps a couple years or more could improve the taste... maybe.
I considered pouring the substance over my pancakes this morning just to see if grapes could formulate a decent syrup. The legs were so strong and clingy there was a moment I believed to see it climbing UP the glass. This is certainly a beverage for the strong willed. I can't imagine consuming this stuff on a regular basis without going into a diabetic coma.
It would be ill-intentioned of me to recommend this beverage to anyone. So, therefore, avoid purchasing this product unless you absolutely have no other choice or are capable of consuming sryup in a similar fashion as in the famous scene in Super Troopers. Maybe this would be a good party trick.
January 29, 2008
2007 Pepperwood Grove Pinot Noir
YEAR: 2007WINERY: Pepperwood Grove
FLAVOR: Red, Pinot Noir
ORIGIN: South Eastern Australia
PURCHASED: Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $7
NICKNAME: "Pepperwood Pinot"
Labels: 2007, 3 STAR, Australia, Pepperwood Grove, Pinot Noir, Red
1 Reviews:
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January 29, 2008 9:55 PM ,
psydr said...
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3 OUT OF 5 STARS
This is my fault. I sampled the Pepperwood Pinot in the same evening as the Syrah. Historically, I prefer the Pinot over Syrah, but not in this case. Honestly, this Australian wine is no equal to its Californian brethren. I must deduct at least one Star... and fight myself not to deduct another. It's not a bad wine. I just wouldn't buy it over its Syrah counterpart... or over other Pinots I've sampled as of late.
I found this review hard to type. At first, I could not decide how to explain how I preferred one winery's Syrah over its Pinot. I am sure this happens from time to time. It just hasn't happened to me before.
Anyway, kudos to Pepperwood for their Syrah. Their Pinot Noir is... eh... average.
January 9, 2008
2007 Alice White Shiraz
YEAR: 2007WINERY: Alice White
FLAVOR: Red, Shiraz
ORIGIN: South Eastern Austalia
PURCHASED: Seattle, WA
AMOUNT: $7
NICKNAME: "Alice Red"
1 Reviews:
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January 10, 2008 7:17 PM ,
psydr said...
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4 OUT OF 5 STARS
I must admit. This wine was a bit of a surprise. I had very low expectations pouring the first glass, but it turned out to be more than a palatable wine. In fact, if you're shooting for a decent $7 bottle of drinking wine or casual table wine, this one has nothing to be embarrassed about. Kudos to Alice White.
1 Reviews:
3 OUT OF 5 STARS
This is a sweet Tempranillo for sure. Sweet from beginning to end. Probably could've used a bit more time in the casks. Not a bad vino, just a bit of not-quite-ready. I'm not saying it's grape juice or anything. I just think the vintage is a bit immature...
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