Although I usually avoid bottles with catchy labels, I couldn't resist picking up a bottle of Dr. Jebediah Drinkwell's 2007 Meritage at Trader Joe's. The primary reason was the blend: 60% Cabernet Franc, 27% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot. The producer is labeled as the Central Coast Wine Wearhouse, and I suspect this is wine left over from another project or a failed experiment that didn't fit into a blend.
Unfortunately, this wine does not deliver. The aromas are muted and show mostly oak spice. More importantly, the wine is utterly deficient in acidity. It's so flabby, it drinks like grape juice. There's nothing off-putting in this wine and it's easy to drink other than being youthfully tannic. But there's no balance. To quote a famous wine movie character, this wine is "hollow, flabby and overripe," not to mention reminiscent of the equally mediocre Happy Canyon 2007 Chukker. In fact the blend is eerily similar to the Chukker; could this be a Chukker in Dr. Drinkwell's clothing?
Not recommended as I think Two Buck Chuck is better balanced at a fourth the price.
Score: 75-79
Price: $9 from Trader Joe's
Unfortunately, this wine does not deliver. The aromas are muted and show mostly oak spice. More importantly, the wine is utterly deficient in acidity. It's so flabby, it drinks like grape juice. There's nothing off-putting in this wine and it's easy to drink other than being youthfully tannic. But there's no balance. To quote a famous wine movie character, this wine is "hollow, flabby and overripe," not to mention reminiscent of the equally mediocre Happy Canyon 2007 Chukker. In fact the blend is eerily similar to the Chukker; could this be a Chukker in Dr. Drinkwell's clothing?
Not recommended as I think Two Buck Chuck is better balanced at a fourth the price.
Score: 75-79
Price: $9 from Trader Joe's
2 comments:
You must not have finished the bottle and recited the lyrics so generously placed on the back because "Doctor Drinkwell Makes Singing Fun Again!"
However, if this is truly for taste, I suggest letting it breathe for a couple of hours prior to drinking. Cheerio
I know, this is not intended as a serious wine. It's one to take to a party or quaff on a Tuesday night. Still, it wasn't very good and I did give it plenty of oxygen. Maybe it's better with a few months in bottle? If it's intended as a quaffer, I'd expect it to be released when it's ready to drink off the shelf.
Post a Comment