Wolf Blass Red Label 2006 Shiraz Cabernet
As I stare at the bottle and write this, I have no idea how much the wine costs, nor how well reputed it is. I have not read the label on the back and I have no record where I got it from (presumably a present then).
It is always interesting to attempt to not be swayed by a label, but given a Château Lafite 1787 and an Echo Falls Merlot in each other’s bottles would I notice? I might rate the sickly lifestyle brand, with almost certainly the British & Commonwealth record for slowest and most annoying website ever, the best wine. Maybe I am a Label Mabel. A brand junkie. Or just a marketing and packaging enthusiast?
My prejudices say this wine is cheap. The colour is dark and much too purple. The taste is jammy. Specifically blackcurrant with a wipe of strawberry. There is also something tangy and sharp. But actually I quite like it. At 13.5% not as blockbusting super-jammo as I feared. Yes, quite tasty. I think it would compare favourably to a £7.50 Chilean Cabernet.
So how much is it then? Off to Google. Tesco.com have it for £6.17 a bottle (in cases of 6). That sounds fair. Bit better than a cheapy, not in the same class as a 10 quider but drinkable with the right food – in this case Marmite on white toast is the perfect match.