Yellow Tail Shiraz – Cabernet, U.S. $5.99 At Hannaford’s Right Now: A Quick Review

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…by Anura Guruge

Other wine reviews:
¤ Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau 2012:
>>Fruity, Tangy, Fragrant & Light — Nov. 15, 2012.
¤ Beaujolais Nouveau 2012: Professional Review
>>Pretty Close To My Assessment — Nov. 16, 2012.

Click to ENLARGE.

I am sipping a glass of the Yellow Tail Shiraz – Cabernet as I pen this and I have to confess that it is indeed a richly satisfying tipple (as it invariably tends to be), made even more exquisite by the knowledge that it was a (on sale) $5.99 bottle.

Shiraz – Cabernet tends to be a tad sharp on the tongue on first sip; not in an unpleasant way but more in the spirit of awakening your senses that you are in the process of experiencing something subliminally pleasing. The sharpness methinks is the tannin from the Shiraz tempered by some of the sugar from the Cabernet. It is different. You get into the habit of anticipating it. Mint is not something one associates with red wine, but if you can’t appreciate what the heck I am talking about, think of it akin to a jolt of mint — though, of course, there is no mint involved. This agreeable sharpness at once morphs into a dull metallic undertone that I at least always associate with ‘Shiraz’, though I will be the first to admit that I am by no means an expert on ‘Shiraz’. That said I like ‘Shiraz’, but to be candid I really should add that what I like (and have familiarity with) is what connoisseurs will label as ‘cheap Shiraz’.

The Yellow Tail Shiraz – Cabernet because of the dull metallic taste that lingers, is what I would class as a ‘heavy’ red, whereas a Beaujolais Nouveau, in particular the 2012 from Georges Duboeuf, falls into the category of being a ‘light’ red. That it is ‘heavy’ is not a bad thing. It forces you to drink it slowly, contemplatively. It is not a wine that you would want to chug at, as if it was a a soda. It makes you appreciate that you have the fortune of being able to enjoy a wine. That is good.

The Yellow Tail Shiraz – Cabernet is a deep red wine, in the glass. The bouquet is minimal, but is tangy and sharp. Like an expensive, subtle cologne, for men.

I am partial to Yellow Tail wines, in particular their Shiraz or this Shiraz – Cabernet. The prices on Yellow Tail, whether at a store or a restaurant, tends to be good. I think that is true in general with most ‘Shiraz’, though again I do not go looking for ‘expensive’ wines since I find it hard to justify paying too much given that I know that my role is to convert wine-to-water.

If I see a Shiraz, by the glass, on a wine list I will invariably ask for it. Since Deanna rarely if ever drinks red wine and I tend rarely to drink more than one glass of wine a day, the days of me ordering wine by the flagon are long gone. Usually it is just one glass for me; with Deanna and the kids opting for water! So, my familiarity with Shiraz is (I think) limited to Yellow Tail and Woodbridge. I am sure I couldn’t tell them apart, and I have no desire to be able to. To me a Shiraz is a nice change from my customary Burgundy or Merlot. The Shiraz always tastes different. Us Brits have a saying that a ‘change is as good as a rest’. Thus, a Shiraz always imbues a much needed kick into my mainly staid, generally uneventful, what most would call ‘boring’ life. For that, I am grateful to Shiraz and to Yellow Tail.

At the current $5.99 (U.S.) per bottle the Yellow Tail Shiraz or Shiraz – Cabernet is hard to beat. The Shiraz – Cabernet is what I would class a ‘profound’ wine. It make you THINK — which in my book is always a wonderful thing given that my motto in life is ‘Think Free, Or Die‘. It is ideal for social discourse or for writing. It is like having a pipe. It gives you time to reflect; time to ponder.

Get yourself a bottle and enjoy.

Cheers. Happy Thanksgiving.

I happened to be shopping at Hannaford, Alton Beaujolais Nouveau Day 2012, November 15. I wondered into the wine aisle to see if they had any Nouveau. They didn’t.  But, they had Yellow Tail with a $2 off coupon. So, I bought a bottle of the Shiraz – Cabernet.

later that day I went to New Hampshire Liquor Store in Wolfeboro and bought a bottle of the Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau 2012 for $9.99.

Very different wines; both great in their own right. I would hate to pick one over the other.

But, if I had to, I probably will pick the Yellow Tail Shiraz – Cabernet!

Sorry. I like the Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau 2012. That is beyond doubt. But, it is a light, frivolous wine — as it is meant to be. You can chug it down like it was soda. nothing wrong with that. But, if you want an adult wine, that will force you to savor it, I will go with the Yellow Tail Shiraz – Cabernet.