It’s safe

An interesting wine. Ordered it with dinner at The Element in Front Royal, Va. Overall, enjoyable. Can’t say I was crazy in love with it — but at $20 something a bottle in a restaurant, couldn’t say I didn’t enjoy it. With all the mediocre cabs out there, this probably goes on the “it’s safe” list, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to order it again.

Out the Gate: “it’s a bit spritzy,” some sharp fruit
7th inning stretch: almost over spiced
Finish Line: pepper, pepper and spice
Locker Room: after the pepper and spice, I’m burned out. Need a rinse.

On a final note, the food was incredible. This is a Caesar Salad – a big piece of lettuce, shaved and grated cheese, with olive and garlic on the side.

Yeah, and bad writing makes the New York Times Best Sellers List …

… oh wait … well, actually, I guess it does happen, as is proved with André Brunel “Côtes du Rhône Villages” 2007 Cuvée Sabrine Red Rhone Wine — a 90 point Robert Parker wine, and a 91 point Wine Spectator wine, which smells like a sewer. It’s called H₂S — Hydrogen sulfide — and it’s pretty gnarly. So what gives?

How does a wine with an obvious flaw get a 90 pt rating?

In short, I just don’t know. First, lets talk about H2S: “This colorless, toxic and flammable gas is partially responsible for the foul odor of rotten eggs and flatulence.” – Wikipedia

In wine, it can smell like anything from matchsticks to raw sewage – as is the case with this bottle. It tends to diminish the fruit qualities, specifically on the nose. It is generally undetectable on the palate.

Drop in a penny

Winemakers can add copper to the wine to “pull out” the H2S. If you find it in a bottle at home, you can do the same – just drop in a penny.  It takes away the sewage smell, but unfortunately … it leaves the wine with all that’s left … pretty much nothing.

Notes:

André Brunel “Côtes du Rhône Villages”
- Appellation Cõtes Du Rhône Villages Contrôlée -
Cuvée Sabrine
2007
Red Rhone Wine
75% Grenache with Syrah, and Mourvèdre

Nose: Raw Sewage
Out the Gate: Not very bright fruit up front
7th Inning Stretch: Balanced acidity, diminished fruits.
Finish Line: Soft Tannins, a little hot (High Alcohol)
Locker Room: PLUM. Plum like I’m chewing on a plum skin. Lots and lots of plum.

Robert Parker Rating

2007 Cuvée Sabrine Red Rhone