Wine Review: Yellow Tail Merlot

CAN WINE THIS CHEAP ACTUALLY TASTE GOOD?

I am not much of a red wine drinker, many of them just taste bitter and too bold with bad aftertaste in my mouth. I do enjoy occasional deep glass with the dinner, that is about it.

Last December my husband brought bottle of this wine home on a chilly evening. Not a special occasion, not a special wine, he just wanted something to warm our bones after freezing outside most of the day. I asked how much he paid for it. Under sever dollars he said. My eyebrows rise, cheap red usually equals bad taste in my mouth and a headache next morning even after glass or two..

So I peel the bottle out of the paper bag. It looks nice, classic design and easy to read label. It states to be vintage 2005 and to have 13.5% alcohol volume. Funky looking kangaroo makes it clear you are looking at Australian wine.

Not a real cork, the rubbery version but this IS under $10 wine so I'm just happy to have a cork! Smell? Not bad, it is little sweet and grapy, very merlot but not so dry. After pouring it to glasses I tell my husband this will give me a headache for sure, it smells so sweet..

My husband gives me his "at least I did buy wine not beer" speech and I decide that it is a good time to stop complaining, I could be staring at Budweiser instead..

First sip. Hmm, weird, sweet but not really that bad aftertaste. What is this staff? Back to the label, behind it states that it "jumps from the glass with crushed berry aromas and a touch of typical Aussie spice". My wine is not jumping anywhere but the second sip is very smooth and I'm actually liking it! This wine has flavor which does not overpower your taste buds but still gives them something to do. I am curious so I did go to their website to see what those "Aussie spices" are. According to the site wine has dark plums and a touch of mint and soft vanilla oak flavors. It sounds bit much! I'm trying to taste the mint but all I can find on my taste buds is the vanilla, very nice.

That evening we had chicken alfredo with some garlic bread and the second glass washed it down just fine for me. Bottle states that the wine can be enjoyed with any meat dish and is perfect for a barbeque.