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!
YEAR: 2003Labels: 1 STAR, 2003, Cabernet Sauvignon, Hoodsport, Merlot, Mixed Varietal, Red, USA
psydr said...
1 OUT OF 5 STARS
Not so hot. This merlot has very little resemblance to an actual merlot. It tastes more like bitter grape juice. Not a juice I'd ever buy again. It's a nasty, bitter mess. Yuk.
psydr said...
3 OUT OF 5 STARS
Fairly smooth for a Cabernet. Just a little edgy in the aftertaste. You definitely taste the earth in this beverage. Perhaps a little too much so... The other predominant flavor is blackberry. But you only notice it for a moment. Then the earth takes over.
Not one of my favorites.
YEAR: 2007Labels: 0 STAR, 2007, Lemberger, Merlot, Mixed Varietal, Red, USA, Working Girl Wines
psydr said...
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!
psydr said...
3 OUT OF 5 STARS
A nice Merlot. Good nose and such. There's just a bit too much anise in the palate for my taste. And the color is extraordinarily dark and almost opaque. Other than that, it's fine. I don't think you'd upset anyone by severing this wine at your next gathering. It does have a good blackberry flavor. Anise is just overwhelming in my opinion.
The label is rather sheik, and certainly their cause is worthy. It's my understanding that 50 cents of each Doghouse purchase goes to help the Guide Dogs for the Blind organization.
psydr said...
3 OUT OF 5 STARS
This is a decent Merlot. There's your standard hint of currant, and the fluid is a tad on the thick side. Pretty good though. Goes down smooth. Didn't cost much. And it has a groovy label. What more do you need?
I have nothing glowing or disparaging to say about this beverage. I guess if I was more into Merlots at the moment, I might have given the bottle a 3.5 STAR rating.
YEAR: 2006Labels: 2006, 4 STAR, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Mixed Varietal, Petite Sirah, Red, The California Wine Party, USA
psydr said...
4 OUT OF 5 STARS
Good nose. Maybe slightly sweet in smell. Dark and slightly clouded. Not the clearest of beverages. Good flavor though. Not bad at all for a cheap wine. Surprisingly, there is very little aftertaste. For some reason I was betting on a bit of the bitters after swallowing. Maybe because the color was a little off. Or maybe is was something I sensed in the aroma. Either way, I couldn't have been more wrong. This wine starts off smooth and finishes in exactly the same way. Some might describe it as having a slightly watered down feeling, but personally, I just think it's a nice, smooth vino. I tend to prefer a thinner wine at times. They just seem more refreshing.
Anyway, this is a good buy and can be found at your local Trader Joe's. Pick up a bottle and let me know what you think.
YEAR: 2006Labels: 2006, 4 STAR, Pinot Noir, Red, Smoking Loon, USA
psydr said...
4 OUT OF 5 STARS
So, I was standing there at my local corner store racking my brain trying to decide which of their lovely wines would best compliment my jalapeno cheddar dip and Tostitos scoops when my eyes came upon this Smoking Loon. After quietly pulling up the Psydr Wine Review site on my new iPhone, I was quickly able to determine I have yet to review this bottle. Soon I was out the door with my new discovery. Now, sitting on my favorite couch, I have the following information to dispatch:
This is an excellent Pinot. Great nose. Almost refreshing like that first whiff of coffee in the morning. While a little leggy visually, the wine itself does not have a thick or sticky texture. The palate is very, very, cherry-berry. How's that for a description? Sorry. That's just what came to mind on first swallow. It's a very smooth wine which is fairly typical of the Pinot and probably why I tend to enjoy them so much.
I think you'll be a happy little camper if you choose this wine. Sometimes they DO carry the good stuff at the corner store. Whadaya know...
Okay, so now it's time for the chips and cheese. I was holding off for the review. Enough of that! I'm hungry.
YEAR: 2005Labels: 1 STAR, 2005, Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Crest, Red, USA
psydr said...
1 OUT OF 5 STARS
It makes me sad to have to give such a lowly review to a wine from Columbia Crest, because, in general, I believe them to be one of the best providers of decent wines under our little $10 bubble. This, however, is NOT one of them. And I believe they tend to pride themselves on their Two Vines selections.
The earthy Cabernet nose is there and the color is of dark, dark blackberry. But the palate is really quite unpleasant. There is a strange bitterness I can't quite describe. It's not tannins. It's more as if the wine has expired... not corked though. The "flavor" doesn't mess around. It's not an aftertaste. It hits you the moment the liquid hits your tongue. It's almost as if I had just brushed my teeth...
I don't know. Personally, I'm hoping I just picked up a bad example if this CC offering. I really hope so. I'll make an effort to pick up another bottle and give it another review shortly.
YEAR: 2006
YEAR: 2004Labels: 2 STAR, 2004, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Mixed Varietal, Red, Silver Lake, Syrah, USA
psydr said...
2 OUT OF 5 STARS
Semi-tart. Not very interesting in general. Vanilla. Perhaps a bit overdone. Smells of bad vino, but I don't think it's corked.
Don't know what else to say. I guess I'd just avoid from purchasing in the future. But don't get me wrong. It's not terrible. I just don't like it.
I'd rather go play with my new iPhone than spend any more time on this wine...
YEAR: 2006Labels: 4 STAR, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mirassou, Pinot Noir, Red, USA
psydr said...
4 OUT OF 5 STARS
Dark and delicious. This is a very nice Cabernet. It goes down smooth and has a nice finish. Then just a hint of tannins take over. Therefore the aftertaste is the only thing non-5 STAR I could find. There's something else in the aftertaste I can't quite define. It's not bad. But it's not terribly good either. This flavor doesn't detract from the wine though, so don't hesitate to snatch up a bottle or two. If you're a Cabernet Sauvignon fan, I DO believe you're going to enjoy this beverage.
I absolutely love Mirassou's Pinot Noir. It's one of my personal favorites, so be sure to give it a try as well... if you're in the market for a Pinot that is...
psydr said...
3 OUT OF 5 STARS
This vintage is quite good for a mere seven bucks. It's a little bitter but has a rather pleasing dark cherry flavor. The legs are a little thin, but this is a quality I actually prefer in a shiraz. It's the syrup-legs of the thicker vinos I disapprove of.
Goes well with pizza!
Buy it. Try it. Tell the World what you think...
psydr said...
3 OUF OT 5 STARS
There is a bit-o-bitter in this beverage. The legs are a little thinner than average for a Merlot I'd say... which isn't a bad thing. At times, leggier wines repulse me. I don't enjoy having to chew my liquids.
This is a good light-bodied wine. I just think it's a little high in tannins. The after-palate is a wee bit strong in the same way a first Sourpatch Kid out of the bag is at the movies. Halfway through the bag though, things are going down just fine and you're mostly just dreaming about your next opportunity to brush your teeth.
What really impressed me about the bottle was the label. I love it. I really do. There's print and foil relief composed of just a handful of coordinating colors. Thumbs up for style. Now, if you could just transform fashion into flavor... Then Tin Roof would really be onto something.
Don't get me wrong. This is a decent wine. I wouldn't hesitate to serve it at a gathering. I just wouldn't go out of my way to purchase it for moi (aka myself). For eight to nine bucks there are better options out there. THIS IS the sole reason I started this blog: To lead YOU to the excellent, great, awesome values. Of course, you must agree with my assessment of vinos! But who doesn't?
psydr said...
4 OUT OF 5 STARS
I do enjoy Barberas, and this particular selection is no exception. However, the bottle is the first example I've sampled from the hills of California rather than my family's homeland of Italia. I say, "it's great!" Very smooth. Full of light-bodied flavor and ruby-red color. An excellent Barbera indeed.
I believe I gave a similarly shining review of Renwood's Syrah. To date I am very happy with their offerings and will continue to sample more of their varietals as time allows. A pat on the back to you Renwood Winery.
YEAR: None Given, Purchased 2008Labels: 1 STAR, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pacific Peak, Red, USA
psydr said...
1 OUT OF 5 STARS
Not a very pleasant wine, but for four dollars I wasn't expecting much. Although, I have been surprised by super cheap selections before, this is NOT one of them. The initial palate is of glorified grapejuice followed by a bitterness which could best be compared with the scrapings of the inside of an uncorked barrel left to sit in the sun unattended for a week OR three. A fellow drinker helping me consume this bottle had the following to say, "Funky! Gross."
Basically, this wine is icky. The only possible measure saving this bottle from receiving a 0 STAR rating is that it did not make me want to vomit... Close though.
psydr said...
4 OUT OF 5 STARS
A very good Merlot. Dark and sweet with only a tinge of bitter aftertaste. The pallet is certainly heavy with cherry. I can almost visualize cherries and grapes being smashed together by tiny little feet to come up with this concoction.
And how cool is this label? Simplicity with a splash of color. Very classy. I love it.
I look forward to sampling more Red Rock in the near future.
psydr said...
2 OUT OF 5 STARS
A decent wine, but just too sweet for my taste. For $6 it's a bargain though. It's currently on sale for such here and there. Not hard to find.
The nose is good, and the palate not bad. A strong taste of black current followed by an overwhelming sweetness.
Perhaps it just didn't go well with the stir fry I made this evening...
YEAR: 2005Labels: 2 STAR, 2005, Arrow Creek, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red, USA
psydr said...
2 OUT OF 5 STARS
Don't see myself drinking this again anytime soon. Aroma was pleasant and the legs were nice. But once I splashed a little on my tongue, I was very disappointed. Thick and syrupy like molasses with too much tannins. Unpleasant really, but not awful. I'm giving the bottle two stars today mostly because I'm in a good mood. A one star may well have been in order.
I'll pass.
YEAR: 2005Labels: 2005, Lockwood Vineyard, Pinot Noir, Red, UNRATED, USA
YEAR: 2004Labels: 2004, 3 STAR, Cabernet Sauvignon, Red, Trout Trilogy, USA
psydr said...
3 OUT OF 5 STARS
Not bad. A little earthy with a tinge of bitter tannins. That's it. No big review here. Just pick up a bottle if you find the label as interesting as I did and give it a shot. Or try a 4 STAR instead...
YEAR: 2006 psydr said...
4 OUT OF 5 STARS
A very tasty wine indeed. I've had good luck with the Mondavis and particularly enjoy their Syrahs. I'll often order a bottle when out dining if nothing else looks new and exciting. You just can't seem to go wrong purchasing a Mondavi.
I feel like I sound like a Robert Mondavi commercial...
This Syrah is quite dark in color but has a very subtle nose. The palate is struck with a hint of raspberry and cherry... I think. No earthy tones here and no real hint of oak. Just goodness.
YEAR: 2005Labels: 2005, 3 STAR, Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Winery, Red, USA
psydr said...
3 OUT OF 5 STARS
Not bad. Went well with my flank steak and artichokes this evening. However, this isn't one of my preferred Cabernets. There is certainly a taste (and nose) of oak here. I'd go so far as to say there's a hint of walnut...
YEAR: 2004Labels: 2004, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pine and Post, Red, UNRATED, USA
YEAR: 2005Labels: 2005, 3 STAR, Big House Red, Mixed Varietal, Red, USA
psydr said...
3 OUT OF 5 STARS
Cherry and Blackberry here with a stringent woody aftertaste. Decent stuff though. I wouldn't refuse it, and I'd purchase a bottle or two for a impromptu party.
YEAR: 2006 psydr said...
4 OUT OF 5 STARS
This is one tasty beverage! The color: ruby as ruby can be. The nose: very fresh and fruity. The flavor: very, very good. There are hints of darker berries here but not bitter in any way. A really smooth and delicious wine.
The name is kinda groovy too. You really need to give this bottle a try.
Nessa said...
Keep up the good work.
psydr said...
3 OUT OF 5 STARS
Okay, this is going to sound bad, but really it's not. This wine was nearly flavorless, which one might associate with "bad" or at least "not-so-great." But, no. This is a very palatable wine. I somehow found its lack of flavor as a plus. I feel like this bottle could be served with anything imaginable and still enhance its flavor.
This wine will neither woo nor disgust. It's a safe bet at any gathering, and therefore I give it a 3 STAR rating. I'd go so far as to recommend this wine at any eclectic social event...
Palate? For lack of better description, I taste Earth. Nothing bitter. Smooth as smooth can be.
Geez. Now I feel like I was raving... I wasn't. What I meant to pass on to you was just this: This syrah is Non-offensive.
1 Reviews:
1 OUT OF 5 STARS
Wow! Another crappy wine. This is not a good start for Hoodsport. I can take a hint. I promise not to buy another...
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