Bogle Phantom wine review – HOLY COW

10 11 2010

Bogle Phantom wine reviewNote:  This review has been updated here.

Here’s a 2007 blend of petite syrah, old vine zinfandel, and old vine mourvedre.  It’s from California and costs $18.

Does anybody know the difference between mourvedre and “old vine” mourvedre?  (“I love the old vine, but I won’t touch plain mourvedre with a ten foot pole.”)

Well it doesn’t matter, because this wine is fantastic.  It’s almost a “Must Buy.”  It’s super dark, super deep, super rich, and just, super.  I love it.  Lots of tannins that suck all the moisture out of your head, leaving you with a mouth made of felt, like a muppet.  Tons of juicy cranberries and black cherries.  Smoky spices.  A fun balance of sweet red fruit and dry oak.  And finally at the finish, more muppet mouth.

If you don’t like tannins, do not bother with The Phantom.  But if you like red wine generally, you have to try it.  It’s not super complex, and it’s not super fresh or organic, but at $18 you don’t expect these things.  What you expect is pleasure.

And that’s why, at $18, this juicy, tannic wonder is:

Highly recommended!


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Categories : -----blends / other, 1 All, 3 Reds, 5 $15-$30, 9 Recommended

Bogle sauvignon blanc review

5 11 2010

Today we look at a California sauvignon blanc from 2009 that will cost you between $9 and $12.

Bogle is a winery that I really like, although I’ve only reviewed their chardonnay here, and it didn’t get a recommendation.  But the first sip of their sauvignon blanc signalled a change in direction:  my first reaction was, “I want more of this.”

And I still want more, especially at $9.50.  It’s smooth, and has flavors of lemon, lime, grapefruit and a tangy minerality.  Yet it’s also slightly sweet (for a sauvignon blanc), with a soothing hint of melon.  Because of that quiet melon, it’s not as “clean” as some sauvignon blancs, but neither does it choke you with green grass flavor (even though Bogle lists “freshly cut grass” first in its tasting note!).

OK Wineguider, that’s great, but at only $9.50, what’s the catch?  Well, no catch really, other than a slight bit of flatness and lack of complexity, compared to more expensive bottles.  Which you would expect.  Bogle sauvignon blanc is a solid, admirable performer.  (I still want more. . . .)  Your Wineguider hereby decrees that this light and easy white is:

Bogle sauvignon blanc review

Recommended.


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Categories : -----sauvignon blanc, 1 All, 2 Whites, 6 Under $15, 9 Recommended