Wine Club for Men

Can one wine give enough reason to write a winery off entirely? We welcomed yet another guest reviewer, Andrew, to sample this one with us.

Chosen by: Mike
How it was chosen: Received as a Christmas gift. It looked interesting for a wine, which I think is a good quality for this club.
Bought at: Duplin Winery – Wilmington, NC
Cost: $9.99

Brian’s thoughts: This one was basically a giant, sickly sweet wine cooler. High school girls would love it. Would make a good base for cough syrup.
Geordie’s thoughts: Jammy odor with very light color. I don’t think it’s actually a wine, but it would probably be good on ice with a slice of lime. It kind of reminds of that southwest Virginia moonshine that has fruit in it.
Mike’s thoughts: I’m not quite sure how this qualifies as a wine. It tastes disgustingly similar to a “bum wine” you can pick up at 7-11 for far cheaper.
Andrew’s thoughts: This is not wine.

To answer the question posed at the beginning of this entry, yes. If any vintner could make something like this and think it to be salable, they are a joke.

Links: None.

Yet another from just down the road. Sorry, no guest reviews this time… Lucky them! We also enacted our first bylaw at this meeting. Look for it on About the Club.

Note: With the holidays coming, our schedules are a bit out of whack. Please excuse the early week meeting. We will not meet again until the 8th of January, 2010. Look forward to a white!

Chosen by: Brian
How it was chosen: It was the least valuable of what was on the wine rack.
Bought at: Veramar Vineyard – Berryville, VA
Cost: $32

Brian’s Thoughts: I found this to be the most interesting selection thus far. Complex and fairly intense. A little too much going on. Kind of earthy with a lot of sediment. I’d give it a 5 out of 10 I guess. Very dependent on an individual’s tastes for this one…
Geordie’s Thoughts: Cat pee smell, ascorbic acid flavor with a cloudy appearance. I would not purchase it, but it wasn’t as bad as the description makes it out to be. It’s actually fairly complex. Perhaps too much so. That being said, if it was paired with a flavorful meat it would hold it’s own.
Mike’s Thoughts: The bouquet had a lot going on, but all I could make out was tobacco. After some breathing, heavy alcohol scent. Visually, very cloudy, and “weird.” I had a slight cold, but WTF is this? Too many flavors fighting one another. Overall, I’d rate this a Charles Shaw minus the wicked bite. HOLY SEDIMENT, Batman!

Links: Tastings.com.

Today we sampled a wine from just down the road. As you can see from the reviews, it proved very drinkable, but didn’t really offer anything either. We also had a guest reviewer (read: somebody stumbled upon our meeting), Gene.

Chosen by: Geordie
How it was chosen: Was at the top of the wine rack.
Bought at: Willowcroft Vineyard – Leesburg, VA
Cost: $24.99

Brian’s Thoughts: There was nothing particularly objectionable about this wine. There was also nothing outstanding about it either. I’d drink it again for free. 5 out of 10.
Geordie’s Thoughts: A light bouquet with faint hints of tobacco and vanilla. The flavor is mild without being bland. Nobody seems to love it but nobody dislikes it either.
Mike’s Thoughts: Fresh tasting with a slight berry flavor at the start and maple syrup in the middle. Not a bad wine, but it’s not particularly good. Perfectly drinkable, but nothing makes you want to drink it again.
Gene’s Thoughts: Tastes red with a hint of grape. Enough dryness to cause throat stricture. Mixes well with Scotch. Good bouquet. Bottle needs a basket.

Links: Snooth.

Chosen by: Mike
How it was chosen: This is my personal favorite. I always have a few bottles on hand at the house. Unfortunately, I think more are given away as gifts than we drink, but I buy it by the case so I do get a fair amount.
Bought at: Total Wine – McLean, VA
Cost: $12.99

Brian’s Thoughts: Well rounded in its mediocrity, with a semi-rough finish. On a scale of 1-10, I’d give it a 3.
Geordie’s Thoughts: The bouquet is a bit limp but pleasant with a hint of tobacco. It has a tart forward taste with a bit of oak followed by a plump middle note and a fast fade.
Mike’s Thoughts: It’s my go-to wine. I love it. Full body, not too strong, and no bite. Great with pasta and red sauce.

Links: Snooth, WineAccess, WineLog.

Welcome to this very new, very exclusive club.

The premise behind the club is each week a member brings in a new bottle of wine. We’ll supply a small description of the wine, where you can get it, pricing, some pictures, and then each club member will give a quick review (less than 30 words).