WilfBrim wrote:I need some opinions here. I will be getting married in February, and one of my (few) responsibilities is to pick and supply the wine. I've been poking around here and there, and nothing much has caught my eye yet. I'm thinking that this may suit for the red. The guests will be mixed, but generally some inexperieced palates. Thoughts?

Personally the alcohol content, at 15.3% would give me pause to serve at a wedding where folks can have a tendency to drink freely.

dmallette wrote:I'm fairly torn on this one. Love the price, need an everyday drinker, but am worried about the mixed reviews. I've never seen reviews/comments about a wine so different.

To anyone that has tried this wine: With the spirit of today's election, does this wine get your vote? Would you buy/drink it again? ;-)

A few points to make here:

First off, viognier is co-fermented with syrah for a couple of potential reasons - color stability; aromatic 'kick'; tradition; interplantings. There is no 'rule' as to how much viognier can or should be included in this, and I know some wineries that co-ferment or add up to 15% to achieve what they want to. If truly co-fermented (ie you ferment the syrah and viognier together), you get the potential for greater color stability along with the potential for floral/violet aromatics and perhaps a 'softening' of the wine. If blended after fermentation, which is the case here, you won't get the color stability, but very well may get the other benefits.

As far as some finding this tannic and others soft, it may very well come down to understanding tannin AND understanding differences in palates. If one is 'bitter adverse', one may find things 'bitter and tannic' at much lower levels than someone who is not bitter adverse. How would you know? One way to generalize - if you have to drink your coffee with a good amount of cream in it, you probably don't like overtly bitter things . . . and if you drink it like me (black with 2 shots of espresso), you probably don't mind bitter/tannic things and therefore a bigger bolder red may still be 'smooth' whereas it will definitely not be that way to a bitter averse person.

Make sense? Sorry if I'm not that clear - just jumped on quickly while getting the kids ready for school (-:

Cheers

WilfBrim wrote:I need some opinions here. I will be getting married in February, and one of my (few) responsibilities is to pick and supply the wine. I've been poking around here and there, and nothing much has caught my eye yet. I'm thinking that this may suit for the red. The guests will be mixed, but generally some inexperieced palates. Thoughts?

For inexperienced palates, I'd go for something simpler and fruitier than this wine. This wine takes a bit more thinking.

kaolis wrote:Personally the alcohol content, at 15.3% would give me pause to serve at a wedding where folks can have a tendency to drink freely.

This totally depends upon how much folks will be drinking . . . and you would have to consume a lot to 'feel' the difference between a 14.5 and 15.3 wine (and by the way, the actual alcs on the two wines actually could be the same based on labeling laws . . . .)

Cheers

cmaldoon wrote:The mcCleans make some fantastic syrahs.

This is a Syrah blend and it isn't as good as their reserve syrahs but then again when the syrahs are going for $25 or $16 a bottle and these are going for less than $8, the proposition changes.

My notes from the Hallowoot tasting:

Nose: hint of cheese (Gouda?), hint of oak, good acidity. Not fruity like many wines, very interesting.

The palate was mainly a light mocha flavor, significantly simpler than their syrahs.

This is an interesting deal, the price point is fantastic.....hmmmm....

Sounds terrible.

Yes, it is cheap but
Alcohol too high
ph too high
Likely not a good food wine.

Easy pass

neilfindswine wrote:...this tasting note pretty much echoes mine. I found it to be 'Grenache-y' in terms of light bodied and a lite layer of spiciness and a floral note.

I plan on opening a bottle this AM at the office after hitting the voting booth and will post some 'live/on-the-spot' tasting notes from WD, the office and myself.

rjquillin wrote:despite the low ABV.

I did amend the "low" comment by removing it. I had transposed 15.3 to 13.5 ABV. The methanol nose more in line with the 15.3 ABV. Makes a difference.

neilfindswine wrote:.
I plan on opening a bottle this AM at the office after hitting the voting booth and will post some 'live/on-the-spot' tasting notes from WD, the office and myself.

Have a great time rocking the vote - we look forward to those notes!

On Election Day, I hope that a wine that is red and white doesn't make me blue. In for one.

true559 wrote:Sounds terrible.

It certainly wasn't. All of the McLean wines stand out to my palate for not being purely fruit driven. I get a ton of other flavors off of them and find them all intriguing. This wasn't as good as their syrahs but is still great at this pricepoint.

Long time wooter, first time wine woot poster.

Just wanted to say I am in for one......well 12.

I wish it were a cofermented Rhone blend but at this price a blended wine like this is probably better than you could get at TJ's. In for 1

Helloooo Wooters! Here we go again on this great election day! As to reasons behind our maddens on this wine, we actually have family down under in Sydney and they were saying how they started mixing Syrahs and Viognier and we though "hummm, interesting concept" So, wanting to do something different and fun, here is it!

We know you are use to our big bold reds, but we thought we would tone it down a little for those who bat for the other side. If you looking for something a little more docile then this is it. The Viognier balances the Syrah extremely well for a nice subtle blend of both worlds.

We haven't released this to the public yet and though what a better way then election day. Especially with all that my father has done for the service!

I'll be checking in though out the day so if there are any questions please don't hesitate to ask!

- Kelly McClean

kellymcclean wrote:Helloooo Wooters! Here we go again on this great election day! As to reasons behind our maddens on this wine, we actually have family down under in Sydney and they were saying how they started mixing Syrahs and Viognier and we though "hummm, interesting concept" So, wanting to do something different and fun, here is it!

We know you are use to our big bold reds, but we thought we would tone it down a little for those who bat for the other side. If you looking for something a little more docile then this is it. The Viognier balances the Syrah extremely well for a nice subtle blend of both worlds.

We haven't released this to the public yet and though what a better way then election day. Especially with all that my father has done for the service!

I'll be checking in though out the day so if there are any questions please don't hesitate to ask!

- Kelly McClean

Happy election day! Thanks for coming by for questions.

WilfBrim wrote:I need some opinions here. I will be getting married in February, and one of my (few) responsibilities is to pick and supply the wine. I've been poking around here and there, and nothing much has caught my eye yet. I'm thinking that this may suit for the red. The guests will be mixed, but generally some inexperieced palates. Thoughts?

Hello WilfBrim! First off, Congrats on the future nuptials! If you are looking for a big bold red then sadly i would say this isn't probably the best pick. But for something that is a little more docile that everyone could enjoy then I would say this is right up your alley. Our Syrah are generally heavy hitters on the pallet but the Viognier really brings some soft, sweet tannins to the table. It really depends on what you are looking for, but I would say this is a pretty great bet, especially for the price!

neilfindswine wrote:...this tasting note pretty much echoes mine. I found it to be 'Grenache-y' in terms of light bodied and a lite layer of spiciness and a floral note.

Ditto. I actually thought this *was* a grenache when I tried it at the SoCal gathering. Really nice nose, plummy and floral (I'm assuming the floral notes were coming from the Viognier). Berries, and a bit more plum on the palate, with a little spice and wood. Don't remember it having much of a finish. I liked it on the whole, and for $8/bottle this is really a nice QPR purchase.

Would be in for 1, but alas I lack the cellar space to accommodate a full case at the moment.

rnatalie wrote:Actually you can't. The Virginia legislature/governor races are in the off years. Only things on the ballot here are President, one Senator and House of Representatives seat as well as a few ballot questions (two statewide constitutional amendments).

your state really does suck

neilfindswine wrote:...this tasting note pretty much echoes mine. I found it to be 'Grenache-y' in terms of light bodied and a lite layer of spiciness and a floral note.

I plan on opening a bottle this AM at the office after hitting the voting booth and will post some 'live/on-the-spot' tasting notes from WD, the office and myself.

your job does not suck. I'm on the verge of cracking open the vodka in the fridge here.

Happy E-Day to you all. Still mixed after reading all the comments, but what the heck! Going for it!

Winedavid39 wrote:** delivered by thanksgiving**

Sold. I'm gonna need at least a case of something drinkable to get me through that week.

Winedavid39 wrote:Right there with Neil on this.

Clearly a well made wine. No shenanigans in making it (we taste our share of shenanigans). Enjoyable mid pallet but not the long lingering finish that we've come to enjoy with McClean Syrah. Though i don't think that's the intention of this wine. The alcohol has blown off and now revealing the oak (butterscotch on the nose). Hard to categorize, must be the unusual viognier influence. Overall an intriguing departure and very very good QPR.

Did WD just post a tasting note!? What is going on?!?!?

neilfindswine wrote:at 11 am no less. And he patiently waited for the alcohol to blow off, and re-visited.

It's going to be either a very productive day here today, or... not so much. Could go either way.

All depends on how you define "productive"!

neilfindswine wrote:Ok, in spite of the strange looks I got from my co-workers for pulling out the corkscrew at 10Am, live tasting report, as promised. Mind you, I asked everyone to rinse their mouths out to get rid of toothpaste and coffee residual...

To start with, I agree with an earlier comment that this is night and day from McClean's big, dark, brooding Syrahs that I love. Totally different wine...

The nose has some red fruit- cherries and a little plum, enveloped in the sweet baking spice notes that I love. A little heat on the nose as well.

On the palate, the red fruits are quietly present a bit of a citrus note on the mid-palate and kiss of spice on the finish. It's a light-bodied wine with a 'pretty' layer of floral complexity, if you will.

Not sure about food paring- something light; pork or chicken methinks. Nothing too big or bold. This is a wine I'd happily open any day of the week for $7.50 a bottle.

Other comments in the office- well-rounded, balanced, 'a great fall sipper, no food required'. A great value at this price.

Your notes do sound quite "Grenache-y". I would be in for one, but I bought too much wine yesterday on Woot Plus.

Thanks to everyone for the notes.

kylemittskus wrote:Did WD just post a tasting note!? What is going on?!?!?

Clearly a shill at this time of the morning..

Ok, you guys helped me out tremendously! The comparisons to Grenache along with the further descriptions of the taste, finish, ect... give me enough confidence to pull the trigger on this offering!

I'm in for 1! (at this price I have a feeling I'm going to kick myself for not buying two!)

Thanks again everyone!

I just got off the phone with Mike McClean. I sent an email with a couple of questions about his grapes and his process. I didn't expect a phone call back but in just a couple hours that's what I got. Very nice guy and is very eager to talk about his wine making. His is a very small, hands on operation, he specializes in Syrah grapes---describes his process as growing the grapes on his property, they squeeze the juice, cask it, bottle it and let it sit for a couple of years and are very proud of the result. Said he doesn't fool around with any colorant juice additions or any additions at all. I didn't ask if he grows the Viognier grapes, but I read they are known to thrive in Central California. I'm going to pull the trigger on a case and plan to enjoy it with our Thanksgiving guests.

fuzzball59 wrote:I just got off the phone with Mike McClean. I sent an email with a couple of questions about his grapes and his process. I didn't expect a phone call back but in just a couple hours that's what I got. Very nice guy and is very eager to talk about his wine making. His is a very small, hands on operation, he specializes in Syrah grapes---describes his process as growing the grapes on his property, they squeeze the juice, cask it, bottle it and let it sit for a couple of years and are very proud of the result. Said he doesn't fool around with any colorant juice additions or any additions at all. I didn't ask if he grows the Viognier grapes, but I read they are known to thrive in Central California. I'm going to pull the trigger on a case and plan to enjoy it with our Thanksgiving guests.

You should have posted all of those questions here! Nevertheless, great info.

Winedavid39 wrote:Right there with Neil on this.

Clearly a well made wine. No shenanigans in making it (we taste our share of shenanigans). Enjoyable mid pallet but not the long lingering finish that we've come to enjoy with McClean Syrah. Though i don't think that's the intention of this wine. The alcohol has blown off and now revealing the oak (butterscotch on the nose). Hard to categorize, must be the unusual viognier influence. Overall an intriguing departure and very very good QPR.

Thanks for the report guys! Would you say this ofering resembles a Santa Ynez Grenache in weight and style? I love SY Grenache and this sounds like it might be along those lines...Thanks

Anyone know the case production?

kylemittskus wrote:You should have posted all of those questions here! Nevertheless, great info.

Right. What was I thinking, going right to the source and all.

fuzzball59 wrote:Right. What was I thinking, going right to the source and all.

FYI: from the specs page, the Viogner came from Paso.

fuzzball59 wrote:Right. What was I thinking, going right to the source and all.

This level of efficiency leads me to believe you don't work in government.