Tasting group Spouse night - Bubbles (Mark E's.): Trent brought this as somewhere between a joke and let's see if this is any good. Yeah, I don't really like sparkling shiraz and this one was in line with that. I think others liked it more although most of the positive comments had to do with its appearance and not taste. Inky purple with a electric purple froth of smallish bubbles. On the nose, its ok with black raspberries and a bit of leather/roasted meats. On the palate, this was vile to me. Undrinkable. A bitter mess. I hate to score this as others may like it, but it would get a failing grade from me. I dumped mine (sorry Trent), luckily it was a small pour.
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Dark red purple with deep magenta mousse. Not much on the nose, but powerful red fruit and tar on the palate. Firm acidity and medium tannins combine with bubbles to be a wee bit aggressive on the palate. Long, dark, smokey finish.
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Bought after briefly tasting at a store event. Opened for New Year's Eve, and we were disappointed. No detectable complexity or structure. Nose and palate were both muted and the finish had sour notes.
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Disappointment, ruined a perfectly good Shiraz. Not much good to say about this, just on the acceptable/drinkable side. Was expecting more complexity and craftsmanship, versus just adding bubbles to a cheap Aussie Shiraz. Can not recommend at any price.
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Straight forward and effective. Juicy, a little sweet, low complexity and structure but appropriate for Xmas lunch. As good as most low end red sparklers in Oz.
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A jammy, but not sweet, shiraz that sparkles like nobody's business. Not much in the way of deep notes, but a good, reasonably priced, unusual experience. Tasted with seared duck breasts, lentils and broccoli rabe as an alternative thanksgiving dinner.
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Fun lil sipper. Very shiraz-ish with the green herbs, chocolate and dark berries surrounded by bubbles. Got a little to sweet for me after opened for a while but went fairly well with food.
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Blackberry, plum and other sweet, dark fruit on the nose and palate. Vanilla is prominent as well. Big, sweet chewy mouthfeel and smooth but present tannins. A bit of underbrush adds interest.
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Fun to try. Had it with several types of cheeses. A fair amount of fruit and structure. Taste not particularly obvious initially but with a good swish you really taste the underlying fruit. 15-20 dollar price range more appropriate than the $30 I paid.
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Very fruity beverage (strong mixed berries). This is certainly not going to replace champagne, but if you are looking for an easy drinking sparkling wine for when you are just hanging out, this is pretty good for that.
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I believe this would be better as a still wine, as mentioned above. I enjoyed the effervescence of the bubbles with a mix of blackberries and undertone of strawberries. It may have been me, but the nose was that of yeast. Not overpowering, but somewhat irritating at times. Would buy again as a celebration wine or party fill.
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Blackberries and cherry with an effervescent twist. Not overly sweet. Just like a simple shiraz with some fizz. Needs to be well chilled. Flavors start to fall flat when iit begins to warm up. Might make an easy drinking sparkler for a summer barbecue.
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Red fruit on nose. Bitter taste at first followed by faint cherry in back middle of tounge. Reminds one of cough suryp. Mouth feel was fine. No pepper or other typical Shiraz flavoring. Tried with filet and it didn''t work. Slightly better once began warming. Tried again second day with worse impressions.
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Pleasant, well-made, fun-to-drink sparkling wine. Great way to ease into a weekend. Fruit-forward dark berry taste with balance and some depth but little spice. Only problem: $20 (Costco) seems a little steep -- prevents me, at least, from buying a case and keeping it around for BBQs.
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Very fragrant, though not discernable. Definite notes of pepper and black currant, even hints of blackberry in the finish. Mostly drank out of curiosity, but would drink again. The competing characteristics of the full-bodied weight and bubbles took a little getting used to, but after the first few sips was actually enjoyable. Very interesting, not comparable to anything else, especially not your run-of-the-mill-type shiraz.
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Not too sweet, and still has some tannins. Good for what it was trying to be. The bubbles weren't very enjoyable. Not creamy. I probably wouldn't try this again, as I prefer traditional sparkling chard.
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despite my skepticsm, this proved a great match for dark chocolate soufle. not for everyone, bu a nice change of pace with desert. almost a novelty drink, but a easonably priced one.
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Five of us tasted this last night and all agreed it really wasn't enjoyable. Novel, sure, but enjoyable, not so much. Bubbles and Shiraz are just not a good marriage. Tasted a lot like carbonated blackberry jelly. Salud!
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AD Blind Tasting - Why do they make this? I'm not being facietous, I really don't know. Anyway, we've got some blackberries here, and more bubbles then the Partiti. But it's still got those tannins, and I don't find it pleasant. Low 80's
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AD Co. Tasting w/Bloechl (Brown Jug-Upstairs): Black in color (as I later find out this is the name of the wine). Nose of blackberries, plums, and a hint of chocolate. Better effervescence than the first one. This one has more tannins, and a more interesting mouth feel than the first as well. Same flavor profile, with blackberries and plums. Nicer acidity too. Again not for everyone.
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2/15/2020 - Gnieboer Likes this wine: 87 Points
Always handy to have a sparkling red for a bit of variety. Great for the holidays.
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4/18/2019 - BrunoO wrote:
Not a great finish.. bubbles don’t jive well with the Shiraz
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7/26/2017 - Loren Sonkin wrote:
Tasting group Spouse night - Bubbles (Mark E's.): Trent brought this as somewhere between a joke and let's see if this is any good. Yeah, I don't really like sparkling shiraz and this one was in line with that. I think others liked it more although most of the positive comments had to do with its appearance and not taste. Inky purple with a electric purple froth of smallish bubbles. On the nose, its ok with black raspberries and a bit of leather/roasted meats. On the palate, this was vile to me. Undrinkable. A bitter mess. I hate to score this as others may like it, but it would get a failing grade from me. I dumped mine (sorry Trent), luckily it was a small pour.
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1/27/2017 - FLXHoneymoon Does not like this wine:
Just as bad as I thought it would be. Think carbonated Yellow Tail. Really terrible.
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1/10/2016 - JaynPam Likes this wine:
Tannic, Big fruit. Interesting, but do not think this is a champagne. It is a nice food friendly wine, but more Syrah like.
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1/1/2016 - iByron Likes this wine: 87 Points
Dark red purple with deep magenta mousse. Not much on the nose, but powerful red fruit and tar on the palate. Firm acidity and medium tannins combine with bubbles to be a wee bit aggressive on the palate. Long, dark, smokey finish.
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12/31/2015 - Lakluster Likes this wine: 86 Points
Good
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5/4/2015 - Ombibulous wrote: 83 Points
We drank this as one of the wines with Thanksgiving dinner last year. I was nonplussed and underwhelmed. Plain, little flavour and no complexity.
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12/31/2013 - westcoastwannabe wrote: 82 Points
Bought after briefly tasting at a store event. Opened for New Year's Eve, and we were disappointed. No detectable complexity or structure. Nose and palate were both muted and the finish had sour notes.
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1/2/2013 - Z1nnfull Does not like this wine: 83 Points
Disappointment, ruined a perfectly good Shiraz. Not much good to say about this, just on the acceptable/drinkable side. Was expecting more complexity and craftsmanship, versus just adding bubbles to a cheap Aussie Shiraz. Can not recommend at any price.
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12/24/2012 - StewartWent wrote: 86 Points
Straight forward and effective. Juicy, a little sweet, low complexity and structure but appropriate for Xmas lunch. As good as most low end red sparklers in Oz.
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11/22/2012 - tehanson wrote: 88 Points
A jammy, but not sweet, shiraz that sparkles like nobody's business. Not much in the way of deep notes, but a good, reasonably priced, unusual experience. Tasted with seared duck breasts, lentils and broccoli rabe as an alternative thanksgiving dinner.
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10/25/2012 - bajayngo wrote: 82 Points
Fun lil sipper. Very shiraz-ish with the green herbs, chocolate and dark berries surrounded by bubbles. Got a little to sweet for me after opened for a while but went fairly well with food.
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8/3/2011 - erunama wrote: 74 Points
Bought from Costco, may have been too old. No fruit flavors that I tasted. Won't be buying again.
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7/17/2011 - fjp_tt wrote: 75 Points
odd as others described it. Was clearly too old - little fruit remained.
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6/21/2011 - ArlenP wrote: 82 Points
Fruity bubbles, different for sure but nothing inspiring
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6/13/2011 - csu.viticulture wrote:
Blackberry, plum and other sweet, dark fruit on the nose and palate. Vanilla is prominent as well.
Big, sweet chewy mouthfeel and smooth but present tannins. A bit of underbrush adds interest.
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3/1/2011 - gnr wrote: 70 Points
Weird. Not good.
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11/26/2010 - greekboy1 wrote: 87 Points
Fun to try. Had it with several types of cheeses. A fair amount of fruit and structure. Taste not particularly obvious initially but with a good swish you really taste the underlying fruit. 15-20 dollar price range more appropriate than the $30 I paid.
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4/26/2010 - jerrylindstrom wrote: 80 Points
Fruity, bubbly, but terrible. Drink Shiraz, drink champagne, but not this.
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1/1/2010 - thejamer wrote: 82 Points
Very fruity beverage (strong mixed berries). This is certainly not going to replace champagne, but if you are looking for an easy drinking sparkling wine for when you are just hanging out, this is pretty good for that.
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12/4/2009 - Cubatobaco wrote: 84 Points
I believe this would be better as a still wine, as mentioned above. I enjoyed the effervescence of the bubbles with a mix of blackberries and undertone of strawberries. It may have been me, but the nose was that of yeast. Not overpowering, but somewhat irritating at times. Would buy again as a celebration wine or party fill.
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11/26/2009 - talesofthegrape wrote:
Blackberries and cherry with an effervescent twist. Not overly sweet. Just like a simple shiraz with some fizz. Needs to be well chilled. Flavors start to fall flat when iit begins to warm up. Might make an easy drinking sparkler for a summer barbecue.
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2/22/2009 - Grinch wrote: 76 Points
Red fruit on nose. Bitter taste at first followed by faint cherry in back middle of tounge. Reminds one of cough suryp. Mouth feel was fine. No pepper or other typical Shiraz flavoring. Tried with filet and it didn''t work. Slightly better once began warming. Tried again second day with worse impressions.
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12/8/2008 - ews3 wrote: 83 Points
syrupy sweet. tastes like cherry cough syrup, but sweeter. Very simple -- would probably be more interesting as a still wine.
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10/3/2008 - Epic Tale wrote: 86 Points
Pleasant, well-made, fun-to-drink sparkling wine. Great way to ease into a weekend. Fruit-forward dark berry taste with balance and some depth but little spice. Only problem: $20 (Costco) seems a little steep -- prevents me, at least, from buying a case and keeping it around for BBQs.
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9/29/2008 - zvaughn wrote: 84 Points
Very fragrant, though not discernable. Definite notes of pepper and black currant, even hints of blackberry in the finish. Mostly drank out of curiosity, but would drink again. The competing characteristics of the full-bodied weight and bubbles took a little getting used to, but after the first few sips was actually enjoyable. Very interesting, not comparable to anything else, especially not your run-of-the-mill-type shiraz.
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4/5/2008 - Sijan wrote: 80 Points
Not our favorite
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1/2/2008 - davegust wrote: 87 Points
Not too sweet, and still has some tannins. Good for what it was trying to be. The bubbles weren't very enjoyable. Not creamy. I probably wouldn't try this again, as I prefer traditional sparkling chard.
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11/24/2007 - jacohen1 wrote: 86 Points
despite my skepticsm, this proved a great match for dark chocolate soufle. not for everyone, bu a nice change of pace with desert. almost a novelty drink, but a easonably priced one.
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9/11/2007 - Loweeel wrote: 86 Points
Great mouthfeel, acids, and tannins, but way too sweet! This would be great as a dessert wine.
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7/29/2007 - armchairsommelier wrote: 74 Points
Five of us tasted this last night and all agreed it really wasn't enjoyable. Novel, sure, but enjoyable, not so much. Bubbles and Shiraz are just not a good marriage. Tasted a lot like carbonated blackberry jelly. Salud!
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6/16/2007 - rumpole wrote:
Not good. Save your money and please don't judge sparkling shiraz by this wine.
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5/7/2007 - QuiteLucid wrote: 85 Points
Nice refreshing sparkling shiraz. Wonderful with BBQ or other summertime fare.
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12/28/2006 - last chance wrote: 74 Points
Plonk. Sour, bitter plonk.
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11/14/2006 - hutch wrote: 81 Points
AD Blind Tasting - Why do they make this? I'm not being facietous, I really don't know. Anyway, we've got some blackberries here, and more bubbles then the Partiti. But it's still got those tannins, and I don't find it pleasant. Low 80's
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11/14/2006 - jjclips2 wrote: 81 Points
AD Co. Tasting w/Bloechl (Brown Jug-Upstairs): Black in color (as I later find out this is the name of the wine). Nose of blackberries, plums, and a hint of chocolate. Better effervescence than the first one. This one has more tannins, and a more interesting mouth feel than the first as well. Same flavor profile, with blackberries and plums. Nicer acidity too. Again not for everyone.
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