Okay, so I'm a couple days late posting this. I swear that I did taste this wine before this past Wednesday, which was Wine Blogging Wednesday #30, hosted by Tim of Winecast.
Of course, I didn't take formal notes. The wine was enjoyed with some hastily prepared (and consumed) sausage fajitas in between Jackson's meals. But I did come away with some impressions.
When I first opened it, the nose was simple--all blackberry jam--and the palate was similarly boring. "Just another Aussie fruit bomb" I thought to myself. But, I was taken away for a couple hours, you know, changing diapers and the like, and when I came back, the wine had changed quite a bit.
There was still a load of blackberry jam there, but also some anise, pepper, and charcoal. The best think about this wine was the big, bold palate that is somehow still silky.
Overall, not the type of wine I prefer--and certainly more of a cocktail wine than a food wine, but for $17 it's not bad. After I tasted the wine, an Internet search revealed that Parker gave this a 92, which isn't at all surprising and if I had know that I may not have bought it. :)
just had this wine (again) after deciding to bring it over for a homemade pizza night with friends that appreciate both new and old world style wines, especially rhone style, and value wines at that. I also brought over a real fruit bomb (Foxen- Williamson Dore 04) just for kicks.
the woodcutter's was immediately concentrated and dense on the nose (yes, on the nose) floral in the mouth (more than I care for) but had some deep notes (structure) and a supple frame, all for nifty price. It definitely bridges the gap between new and old world styles.
I love this wine, it's great w/ food (has some barnyard burgundy for sure) but it's also great without (thanks new world). In short, this is one of my favorite, and versatile value wines. The beauty of Torbreck is that almost all of their wines (run rig included) are amazingly consistent, almost 'Ridge'- like in their focus. They also offer some of the complexity that's missing in the (generally) more monochromatic (fruit driven) new world wines. I'm a fan of both worlds, and this wine proves there's a middle ground.
yours truly.
Posted by: david yama | March 20, 2007 at 12:37 AM
Great wine, Great Value.
David Powell makes really classy wines.
This wine has a great nose, fruit bomb on the palate, and everything works well together.
Also some nice acid that balances the fruit bomb.
Posted by: Matt Meyer | December 31, 2007 at 01:50 AM