Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Big Bold Red: Yellow Tail Redeems Itself



Took a chance when I bought this one.  Fortunately, it was purchased it when I made the terrible decision to get their Riesling.  Suffice to say it put a smile on my face and a stay of execution has been granted.  Yes Virginia, there is a decent Yellow Tail.

Big Bold Red.  Dark as the night in this photo. Smooth and evaporates in the mouth.  No after taste.  Perhaps a bit strong at 13.5% but acceptable despite tipping the balance but still a nice full body wine.  The alcohol does not dominate the flavor.

I started the bottle after work.  It was a cold bicycle ride home and I needed something to warm up with.  For the first time this day I felt good as it seemed to settle my heart and blood pressure.  It went well with our dinner of pork chops.

Alright you 'Rooheads, Big Bold Red has redeemed your country and your wine.

Monday, October 26, 2015

Yellow Tail Riesling



Starting a white wine dive.  Mary was asking about them.  Other than moscatos I have not brought home very many whites.  Of course on Thanksgiving I will pour a bottle of chardonay into the water bowl of the smoker for the turkey but I will not drink it.  So I set out for whites.  Rieslings are among my favorites.  Just the right amount of sweetness and booziness for a nice drink.

Hoping that the Great Barefoot Sale was still on at my store of choice I was greatly broken hearted to see that the $3.99 special was on South Eastern Australia's Yellow Tail wines of the Casella family.  I've been burned by this brand before but forgot what varietal burnt me.  Cheap enough for another go.  I also hedged my bets with Barefoots Riesling and Malbec for a full body red.

That was Friday.  I do not recall if my first glass was on Friday or Saturday but I remember regretting the purchase immediately.  I did not have any the next day but tonight I decided to finish the bottle.  I let Mary have the first sip tonight.  Immediate frown.

Sweet yet dry.  But a lingering dryness and flat taste.  For people who hate sweet wines they may like this.  I think it may be do to the alcohol content.  The 2013 vintage clocks in at 12%  Barefoot was only 7%.  Tasting the booze not the fruit.  Not enough body to fully support 12%.

Will I purchase this one again?  Unlikely.  Then again it may be good in the smoker for Thanksgiving.

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Barefoot Alert!!!

$3.99 per bottle at Windsor Heights Hy Vee.  Lowest price I have ever seen for that vino.  Wide assortment--Malbec to Chards, Moscato to Pinot.

get ya some!!

Saturday, October 10, 2015

Barefoot Red Blend Trilogy



Was started as a review of Barefoot's Rich Red Blend but I drained two bottles with only a photo and nothing to write about.  My next visit to the store for bottle #3 had me come home with the missing siblings, Rosa Red Blend and Sweet Red.  So I will review them together.

The back label is called "Footnotes."  here they leave a description and a sweetness chart.  Rosa is the sweetest followed by Sweet Red and Rich Red is closer to the dry end of their chart.

In terms of alcohol content Rosa clocks in the lowest at 7.5%, Sweet is 10.5% and Rich beats them all at 13% by volume.

Descriptions.  According to Footnotes, the Rich Blend "is a velvety red blend with bold aromas and flavors of blackberries, blueberries and vanilla.  hints of caramel and oak compliment the smooth  finish."  I found it to be full bodied and smooth.   No boozy taste despite being 13%.  It is a dark purple color.

Rosa Red "is a bright, lively and sweet red blend wine with notes of raspberries and strawberry jam.  Floral notes compliment the sweet lingering finish."  This one put a smile on my face immediately.  A rich pink color and a taste reminiscent of sangria with bubbles on the top that made me wonder if it was still fermenting.  I did not find it overly sweet.  Very well balanced for a "sweet" red.  Screw top for convenience.

Sweet Red "is a smooth and sweet red wine blend with luscious aromas and flavors of black cherry and plum."  Honestly, despite drinking wine on the sweet side and enjoying such I do not care for sweet reds.  Bedhead Red from Jasper Winery is one of the few exceptions.  Unfortunately this was not.  Too sweet.  Mary thought it had a bitter element to it but I did not.  Most likely the plum flavor.

The important thing, taste.  Rosa Red hands down or bottoms up!  It's ace.