Something strange happened. I let the cache wine grow to six bottles of SH moscato. One, however, was a bit darker than the others. It had a green tint to it. I wondered how it would taste. On Thanksgiving, since it was COLD, I pulled several bottles down and placed them on the table outside to chill since there was no room in the fridge. It was then I had a better look at the green one. Bits of white substance floating inside the bottle and the seal was cracked. I never noticed the broken seal before. Needless to say but we did not consume that bottle and one of these days I will dump it out. In all my adventures in cheap wine I have never experienced this.
Now my other Hy Vee has all varieties of Sutter Home on sale for $2.99 per bottle! I let my taste wander a bit and picked up two bottles of the "Red Blend." The label reads, "Easy-going dinner parties, tasty new recipes, and getting cozy by the fireplace. Relax with out rich Red Blend. This easy-going crowd-pleaser is bursting with juicy red fruit flavors and gorgeous vanilla aromas with hints of spicy oak."
I had mine at room temperature and served it straight out of the bottle tanins be damned. It is a full bodied medium dry but feels lighter than a cab. 13.5% which seems a bit on the strong side. I found it to be a pleasant wine. The vanilla hints were not as strong as the Berringer but slightly noticeable.
Would I purchase Sutter Home Red Blend again? Yes, at this price point. When it goes back up to $5 or $6 I may if I was in the need for a dark red unless a comparable priced Malbec was available. SH does not offer a Malbec. I hope to find myself back at Windsor heights Hy Vee to acquire a few more. I always like to have a deep red at home for meals.
Cheers!
