An Australian Pinot Noir aged in French Oak barrels? I read this on the bottle and had to try it. It was also on sale, so I did not have to break my wine rule (no bottles over $15 – I try for $10, but sometimes go over a little). At $7.99, this wine could not disappoint…but it did, a little, at first. It is indeed “gamey” as described by the winemaker and has a bite at the end. It is remarkably light in body, almost as if watered down, but you can feel the alcohol going down the esophagus. After some time to open up, however, the wine gets a little better.

Needless to say, I am still drinking it!

Tasting Notes for those interested…please note that these are my own opinions, and everyone smells and tastes wine differently.

Nose: Dark over-ripe cherries, almost an astringent smell

Mouth: Gamey, dark cherries (like dried cherries), and just a hint of oak (but not much, and not as much as I wanted). The taste lingers subtly for a little while, which is actually very pleasant.

Pairing: I was quite lazy tonight and had Chinese delivery, not the best pairing. I could see this wine with rosemary and garlic crusted lamb chops though. I think the gamey-ness of the wine and the lamb will mesh well.

Side Note: While I love the cork, and I save them for some undecided cork project (that may or may not ever be completed), this is a screw cap. All signs point to screw cap and other synthetics being the wine stopper of the future (and present, especially in the US), as they reduce the possibility of contamination. See a post here at Food and Beverage Underground. http://www.foodandbeverageunderground.com/Wine-Cork.html