Finally Wine Blogging Wednesday is back, this time hosted by the lovely and talented Pim of ChezPim.
The theme? Wacky Name Wines.
Before I get into my wine for the event, I'd just like to thank Pim for hosting and for picking a great theme, and also to all those WBWers out there for making the event a growing success.
I think we'll have a record turn out this time around!
As for my wine...after searching high and low for an adequately named bottle of vino that I'd actually want to try, I stumbled upon the Royal Bitch line of wines, a 2001 Reserve Merlot, which I bought, and a 2003 Chardonnay, which I didn't.
It was not easy finding any information about this wine on the Internet and the bottle didn't have much information either, sadly. However, I know that the wine behind the bitch is actually Chilean and that it is 13.5% alcohol.
Yes, that's all the information on the bottle, along with some corny line about "bitch" on the back.
Quite honestly, I didn't have high hopes for how the wine would taste, despite its Chilean lineage. I expected mediocrity or worse...and that's more or less what I was treated to.
Eyes: A little reminiscent of Welch's grape juice, it's a deep purple color with slightly more redish edges. Looks rich and full. Doesn't look weak or watery, which sort of what I expected.
Nose: Lots of raspberry and some faint tobacco hints, but there is some sort of "off" note at the end. It actually reminds me a bit of a turpentine funk. Obviously I dont' think turpentine is good in a Merlot.
The funky turpentine smells did dissipate after half and hour or so in the glass and eventually disappeared almost completely.
Tongue: Good raspberry and blackberry with much more tannic grip than I expected, even if the tannins are a bit raw right out of the bottle. Not complex in the least, but it's an easy-to-drink wine.
As for the finish...well, the finish wasn't long enough to even consider, seemingly evaporating the second it hits your tongue. This is definitely a wine that is here one second and gone the next.
Price: $10
Food: We drank it with a simple, but delicious dinner of roasted pork, potatoes sauteed with onions and garlic, and a green salad. The turpentine aromas didn't really pair well, but what would go with turpentine?
Overall: For me, the best way to categorize this wine is to call it "okay." If it were served at a party (hosted by a non-wine nerd), I'd not drink the ever-present party Pinot Grigio instead, but I'd probably not serve this wine to anyone...including myself.
It actually grew on Nena though...so maybe I'm being too hard on it. A good bitch is hard to find after all.
Good call Lenn! Even if the wine was just okay, gotta love that label! :-)
Posted by: Viv | January 26, 2005 at 11:34 AM
Hey, mediocrity for ten bucks! Not bad :-)
Cheers,
beau
PS My WBW#5 contri is here:
http://basicjuice.blogs.com/basicjuice/2005/01/wbw5_whooh_whoo.html
Posted by: beau | January 26, 2005 at 05:11 PM
Turpentine? Wow Lenn you were brave. I would have stopped right then and there.
Barnyard, on the other hand....
:-)
Pim
Posted by: Pim | January 27, 2005 at 03:13 AM
I have tasted this wine and I think it's great have you tried the chardonnay?
Posted by: Mica | March 08, 2005 at 09:50 PM
Accidently stumbled on this wine, tried it and then found this on the web... I think the wine is very do-able, full and satisfying.
Posted by: Robin | April 19, 2005 at 04:15 PM
Accidently stumbled on this wine, tried it and then found this on the web... I think the wine is very do-able, very full and satisfying.
Posted by: Rpbin | April 19, 2005 at 04:16 PM
I would like to include my opinion of The 'Royal Bitch' chardonnay-2003
Its CRAP, as a matter of fact its craptacular if I may....Please I strongly would advise anyone to pass completely...
Posted by: meg | April 28, 2005 at 02:22 PM
I haven't tried this wine but my girlfirned loves it. I don't knw which one exaclty but her fine Italian pallet is far better than some american who knows not what he tastes, Yes, I am one of those californians who thinks he knows everything, where as she... she is a Roman who does.
Posted by: Dave- | September 04, 2005 at 01:14 AM
We had some friends over one evening. It was a very rich and robust wine... AND maybe the label makes a girl feel like she CAN be a shiek and sexy bitch while drinking it...which feels good to her and the men... they LOVE how it makes the girls react!
Posted by: Donna Perez | June 05, 2006 at 08:53 PM
The first impression to me was its label; i was thinking the wine won't be up to my norm but soon the taste proved me false. Its marvelous.
Posted by: loara | July 07, 2006 at 02:02 AM
The first impression to me was its label; i was thinking the wine won't be up to my norm but soon the taste proved me false. Its marvelous.
http://www.drinksos.com/hangover-pill.html
Posted by: loara | July 07, 2006 at 02:03 AM
i always looking for good taste wine i will try this
Posted by: Jakee | June 29, 2007 at 09:30 PM
Royal Bitch 2001 Reserve Merlot looks nice bottle i will try that i wish the taste is also good and i enjoy it
Posted by: tony | July 01, 2007 at 03:33 PM
Where can I find this Bitch in the St. Louis, MO area?
Posted by: Janet Laut | August 13, 2007 at 02:49 PM
penis enlargement products reviews like vigrx, magnarx, natural gain plus, sizomax, vp-rx, penis enlargement extenders, devices and penis enlargement pumps that enlarge penis size naturally up 3-4 inch in a month. www.gordoniihoodia.net
Posted by: penis enlargement | August 18, 2007 at 03:13 PM
I am impressed to see this blog. There is a lots of imformation for me. I naver been seen this type infomative place . I m very thank full to the owner of this blog. http://www.cheapviagrabuy.com
Posted by: Buy | September 13, 2007 at 02:43 PM