Jacob's Creek Rose: Week #36

Welcome to the special Easter Sunday edition of Saturday Shiraz.  I bought a bottle yesterday - even entrusted the Helpful Husband to venture out solo to the liquor store.  Thankfully I am at a point in this journey where I pretty well know the names of all the "un-blogged" bottles of Shiraz remaining at our local liquor store, so I can send him out with a particular brand and be somewhat assured that he will return with it. 

But, alas, once I arrived at my parents' house for Easter dinner, I noticed I had "conveniently" forgot the bottle of Shiraz at home.  Luckily, my dad had this strange and awkward bottle of Shiraz Rose laying around and we decided it was probably a good match for the turkey (and the label notes agreed!). 

Jacob's Creek Shiraz Rose - Australia 2007
13% alc./vol.
(Free to me)

A word from the wine
"This Shiraz Rose style is lighter in weight and boasts lots of fresh berry aromas and spicy flavors. At our place we enjoy it chilled with pasta, seafood and poultry, and while relaxing with friends."
Hmmm... chilled, eh?  I don't think I like where this is headed.

I thought this wine was an okay pairing for our turkey dinner.  But, it was still too close to white wine for me.  I found it to be quite fizzy, bordering on carbonated, almost like drinking a spritzer.  However, it wasn't sweet, which made less tolerable when viewed as a carbonated beverage, but more tolerable when seen as a wine. 

Helpful Husband: "Does it have alcohol?  I like it"
Dad: "It goes well with the turkey, but I don't think it is a real Rose"
Brother: "It's okay, but a bit acidic for my tastes"
Mom: "It's not as sweet as you would expect from a Rose"

WB Eaglehawk: Week #35

So, whoops.  I forgot to post this.  I kept meaning to go to the liquor store and buy a bottle of the wine I sampled at the restaurant, but my big boy was sick all week and I never got the chance.  Sorry readers (aka my mom).  I will post this, and then tomorrow I will do a special "Easter Sunday Shiraz" edition of Saturday Shiraz.

Helpful Husband and I hit the town last Saturday night.  We had gift certificates to a local hotel and restaurant, and a Grandmother willing to babysit overnight.  Smell ya later kids! 

First stop was Billy's Seafood, where we enjoyed some bacon wrapped scallops and over-priced entrees. But, we also enjoyed some wine.  Of course, we paid $21 for a 1/2 litre (check out the bottle's price below), but when in Rome and all that crap.

Wolf Blass Eaglehawk (Australia)
$13.49

This picture was taken at the restaurant- very discretely due to extreme embarrassment.  Helpful Husband is in the background flexing for the picture.  But, the joke is on him because the wine glass makes his puny bicep even tinier.

This picture was taken, very discretely, again due to embarrassment, while my mother and I were creeping the liquor store before the town-wide Easter egg hunt.  (It was freakin' cold and we needed shelter and warmth.... plus there were free samples.)  I would have bought the bottle, but I didn't have my wallet with me. 

A word from the wine:
All I remember reading from the label (while I was in the liquor store) was that the name Eaglehawk was derived from one of WB's first vineyards, which he named "Bilyara" - the aboriginal word for "Eaglehawk." 
I really hope winemakers realize how unoriginal this whole "aboriginal word as inspiration" is. 

This wine was delicious.  I enjoyed each and every overly expensive sip.  I think it lives up to the Wolf Blass name and is very comparable to the slightly more expensive Yellow Label - smooth, easy drinking and tasty. 

We also ventured to Happinez wine bar, but alas, the only Shiraz they had that evening (per glass) was Angove, that weird wine that looks red but tastes white.  There was a $99 bottle of Shiraz in the cellar though.  YIKES-O-RAMA!!  Maybe for week #52... but what happens if you spend that much on a bottle and it is disappointing?  In either case, I enjoyed a glass of La Casona for $6 - it wasn't Shiraz, but it was yummy. 



French Cross: Week #34

I have to admit - I didn't feel much like drinking red wine today.  I guess I'm still traumatized from last week's experience with Banrock Station.  Plus, I feel bad for any wine chosen to be the rebound in this sick relationship.  I mean, what chance does this week's selection really have?  It will only serve its purpose of getting me back on the wagon, and then it will no doubt be cast aside, never to be chosen again.  For this reason, I plan on bringing this wine to Family Dinner to have some non-bias input added to the review - it is only fair to the wine (I'll update with their comments later).

This week I have chosen French Cross.  I didn't want to pick something expensive, since I know I'm not really up to enjoying it.  This is the last Canadian bottle of Shiraz (that I haven't reviewed - I didn't clean them out!...yet) at my local liquor store.  It was on sale (a whole $0.50!!!) and I had wanted to buy it while in PEI since it was available in tetra pack there.

French Cross (Canada - no date)
$9.99
13% alc./vol.

A word from the wine:
"This dry, medium bodied Shiraz is vinted with carefully selected grapes from some of the finest vineyards in Canada and around the world.  Flavors of black cherry and a hint of spice are enhanced by rich red fruit aromas."
Carefully selected?  Or picked out of the other vineyards' dumpsters? 

No thanks.  Just no.  I will say that the aroma of this wine was very appealing - I did note that upon removing the cork.  However, I also noted that the color was very transparent for a red wine; a bit too much light shines through this to end well.  I'm not even sure how to approach the taste - it was thin, and vinegary, and just generally taste-less.  You know what is weird?  The dimple on the bottom is pretty deep for a $10 bottle.

Helpful Husband Tip: "I'm sure it's fine *sip* Oh, maybe not."

My mom & brother did not find it too bad - which surprised me... especially the brother factor.  So, maybe I am on the rebound.

Banrock Station: Week #33

Banrock Station (Australia, 2008)
13.5% alc./vol.
$12.99

A word from the wine:
"For over 10 years we have proudly supported projects that include Atlantic Salmon recovery in Canada, flamingo protection in Kenya, wetland restoration, climate change research and water saving initiatives"
I figured since I used to work in Atlantic Salmon conservation and my husband has trouble identifying flamingoes that this wine was a good choice.


Dear Banrock Station,

When I first laid eyes on you, I knew in my heart that we could be friends.  You're from Australia, and I love Australians.  You had interesting label notes, and I fell in love with your understated yet sophisticated styling.  You tasted great and I was ready for a good time.  You were easy drinking.  Too easy.  And for that reason, I am sorry to say that I just don't think this relationship can move forward.

This has nothing to do with you.  You're great, really you are.  In fact, that is why I couldn't control myself around you.  It's just that the timing wasn't right.  I was out with friends (bad influences) and my kids were safely at home in bed - I felt free.  Too free.  No one else was drinking you - I had you all to myself.  I took all of you and I gave you nothing in return.  I'm thinking of what is right for you in this situation.  You deserve better.  I'm not the right person for you, and I don't like the person I became when I was around you.  I should have taken our relationship more slowly - given us time to get to know each other.  But, you've already seen this dark side of me, and it is too late to turn back now.

Please don't take it personally when you see me in the liquor store and I walk past your display without even a second glance.  I don't trust myself.  We can't be friends.  In another world, another time, we would have been perfect for each other.  But here and now, we just aren't meant to be together.  Don't worry - you won't sit on the shelf for long.  You'll find someone new to pick you up, and hopefully they will treat you the way you deserve to be treated.  They'll drink you one glass at a time - one night you'll have dinner, the next maybe watch a movie or enjoy an evening on the patio.  They won't abuse you the way I did. 

I'm sorry it had to end this way.

Deepest Regrets,

Saturday Shiraz

Obikwa: Week #32

Anyone remember back to Week #15 when I foolishly sent Helpful Husband to the liquor store and tried in vain to communicate a proper wine selection with him via cellphone?  That was the day he ignored his wino wife's suggestions and came home with something completely unwanted.  Oh wait.  There have been many days where that has happened - and not just in regards to wine. 

***FLASHBACK TO WEEK #15***

Now, the final decision was hard because there were three wines to pick from, and one was on sale, another had a “cave-like drawing of an ostrich or a flamingo” (he really is helpful, isn’t he?), and the other had a lizard on the label and 14.5% alc./vol.  But, the bird-like design label mystery was too gripping for me to abandon and I had to see it with my own eyes.  The decision was made; husband hung up the phone.

He arrived home.  I eagerly pulled the bottle from the bag, enthusiastically awaiting the moment of bird-discovery when I could ream my husband for his stupidity over what is so clearly a penguin, but to my surprise it is a lizard that greets me from the label.  WTF?  I search my memory for the error – right, I had hung up the phone and left my ever so helpful husband without supervision on his way to the check-out counter = mistake.  Left to his own devices, he, of course, made small talk with the cashier, who, of course, is a Shiraz drinker himself (sure) and didn’t recommend the elusive ostrich-flamingo wine and confused my poor easily lead husband with shiny bottles and tales about how many feet above sea-level the grapes were harvested.

This week's selection sets out to solve a bird-identity mystery 17 weeks in the making.

Obikwa (South Africa, 2009)

$11.49
13.5% alc./vol.

So, what's your vote?  Ostrich?  Flamingo? Seagull?

A word from the wine:
"Taking its name from one of South Africa's earliest peoples, this Obikwa wine pays tribute to the adventurous Obikwa people and the ostrich, their trusty companion with its extraordinary long neck.  For the adventurous lover of life and wine looking for something different; Obikwa's easy-drinking, quality new world wine is the perfect choice for you"
Well, that certainly answers THAT question.  Helpful husbands everywhere take note - the label offers the answers you are seeking! And, I have to say, I never really considered the ostrich a "trusty" companion, but I will take note of that in case I ever find myself needing a loyal associate from the animal kingdom.  I guess they'll stick their neck out for you!  (Ostrich joke #1).  I quite liked these label notes - one of my favorite so far (next to Little Penguin from Week #3 and Black Swan from Week #2) - I like it when the label actually speaks to me; it takes charge and tells me it is the perfect choice.  Direct and bossy.  Sound like anyone you know?

I am glad the label inspired so much excitement because the wine within is not generating much enthusiasm.  This wine is average - it's drinkable and inoffensive.  It is pretty "thin," but it is a bit tangy and somewhat dry, which is the only thing that saves it from being exiled to the DL.  Still, despite the fun label notes and cheery yellow tones on the label, when it comes right down to it, you just can't trust an ostrich.  You could have an important wine tasting and they'll have their heads stuck in the sand (#2). 

No Helpful Husband Tip - I drank alone tonight.  While watching Storage Wars.  And writing a blog.

Lindeman's: Week #31

Ah - back on track. 

I was at the grocery store on Friday and decided to go ahead and grab a bottle of Shiraz while there.  The cashier was a young over-zealous man whose life long dream was to help me choose my wine.  Unfortunately for him, I do not like to be guided or observed during my selection process.  I politely declined his assistance, but he persisted by giving me a run-down on which wines were on sale.  Now, you might think, "That's nice - Saturday Shiraz loves a bargain!" - and I do, but the thing is... there are big highlighted sale tags under the sale bottles and my vision is pretty good.  I thanked Captain Obvious and notified him that I was looking for a Shiraz and you know what he enthusiastically recommended?  Angove - the weird white wine masquerading as a red reviewed in Week #20!  Those of you who have studied and memorized my every post will recall that Helpful Husband was lead to this choice by a salesperson - obviously the same dude.  Does he get commission tricking people into drinking that strange concoction?  Or does he just have bad taste?  Either way, I told him I'd tried it and it was "interesting" and he left me alone.

I chose Lindeman's based on a recommendation from a close friend.  Then I came home with all intentions of saving it for Saturday.  But, you know what happened?  The power went out.  Then it got dark.  So, we watched Bob the Builder on the laptop and the kids went to bed.  Did you know the Internet doesn't work when the power is out?  Did you also know there are no games on my laptop?  So, we played cribbage by candlelight.  Then I came to the realization that Reality TV is much more interesting than actual reality, so I poured a glass of wine and read Jerk, California (Big Rothesay Read shout out!) by flashlight.  And, in a sign from a higher power to stop drinking, the electricity returned as I finished my first glass. 

Lindeman's Bin 50 (Australia, 2010)
$13.49
13.5% alc/vol.

Normally I place the wine under a bright light or near a window because the bottles don't photograph well with flash.  But, the power was out and the sun had set, so my hands were tied.  Plus, it is really hard to take a picture of something that you can't actually SEE. 

A word from the wine:
"Bin Series' wines are named after the traditional wine cellar where our finest wines were allocated a unique "bin number" after each vintage to ensure consistent quality.  Screwcaps are used to guarantee freshness"
How does a bin number ensure consistent quality?  And why are we reading about screw caps on the label?  Don't they have anything better to mention?  And, yes, this was the ENTIRE label note.

You know, I was pleasantly surprised by this wine.  I had my reservations about a wine that claimed a bin number for each "vintage" when the bottle is only a year old.  And, not that I don't trust my friend who recommended it (she's my youngest son's godmother after all), but she is usually a white wine drinker and I am always suspicious of people who prefer white to red.  But, this wine was really tasty!  It was nice and dry with no jarring aftertaste.  It's been a few weeks since something ended up on the regular rotation list, and I just met the newest entry. 

Helpful Husband Tip: "I like it fine"

Week #30: The Week with no Wine

I thought I could get away with not posting and no one would notice.  But, someone noticed AND made a comment.  And you know how I respect and covet the comments - so I feel obligated to respond.  (PS: The commenter was probably my mom)

There was no wine drinking in my house this past Saturday... it was a sad and sober night.  I have recently had surgery and have read that it is best to avoid alcohol for three weeks in order to avoid a case of horrendous unstoppable itching.  Now, I freely admit that this may be a case of Internet-induced hypochondriac hysteria, but I'd really like my drinking to remain a positive experience, so I have abstained.  You might be thinking, "Three WEEKS without an update!!  How will I make drinking decisions without the inspirational leadership of Saturday Shiraz?  What will motivate me to get out of bed on Sunday mornings?"

Fear not.

I planned ahead... I, for the sake of the greater good, did my homework in advance.  In fact, the last two entries that have entertained and enthralled you were written weeks ago!  Unfortunately, I did not get my surgery date too far in advance and even a lush like myself can only do so much weekday drinking to write ahead.  Hence the Week #30 gap.  A blemish on the otherwise near-perfect record of this blog.  For this, I apologize.  It is a disappointment to think that I can't even achieve the goal of drinking every Saturday - it is no wonder I give up on much more difficult tasks (like giving up Junior Mints for 48hours). 

I will make up for it.  Actually, I already did because WAY back on Week #4, I was a keener and reviewed two wines in one night!  So, maybe I AM still awesome.  The point is, there will be 52 reviews when this blog is all said and done. 

Week #31 will see the return of of my drinking responsibilities.  Stay tuned.