Good Cheap Wine Guide

Hogue Washington State Shiraz Columbia Valley 2005 SALE $4.99

RATING: OK to Cook With

From the maker: On the label we read, “Our Shiraz offers rich berry and cherry flavors, vanilla notes, and smooth tannins. A perfect companion to grilled meats, pizza or pasta. Three generations of Hogues have farmed the sandy loam soils of the Columbia Valley in Eastern Washington State. Discover the Hogue family farm, wines and recipes online. www.hoguecellars.com.”

Well, I did it again. (Britney would say “OOPS” right. Sorry. Couldn’t help it - I always wanted to create a link to Britney for no good reason like everyone else.) I bought a bottle of red wine due to price. Not just because it was cheap - remember I am supposed to be questing for cheap wine - but because it was ‘On Sale” for cheap. It was “On Sale” for $4.99! $4.99…pretty cheap. Worth the “Quest for Great Cheap Wines” status. Man am I a sucker for $4.99. Last time I hit on a $4.99 Sale, it was the Pepperwood Grove I wrote about in January Wine Quest post this year. That was a great well balanced wine with great highlights. I would definitelypay regular price for that one. So… I ignored the screw-top once again and quested away. This time..darn…not so lucky. By the way, I once won a stray dog that was rescued by the Sisters in a raffle held at my grade school. Remember Catholic schools are always looking for a way to raise money. True story..I used my donut money and bought a chance.. and of course, I won the dog and took him home on the bus…I was the coolest kid ever on that bus! My mom did NOT kill me though she threatened to have a long talk with Sister. I named the dog Lucky. Three days later he escaped from the yard and got hit by a garbage truck. You should have seen the truck drivers face when I told him my dog’s name. Not so Lucky after all I guess…anyway…

What I Thought: The whole Hogue family farm thing sounds awesome. I genuinely want to have Sunday family dinner with these folks, but only if I can bring the wine. Ok, that could be wrong. The Hogues do have other wines listed on their website so this could just be the runt of the family. Maybe 2005 was a bad year in the Valley. Does anyone know? Was it too wet, too dry or were there too many forest fires in Washington in 2005? Was there an early frost, late frost or no frost at all? Or was it the screw-cap! Sorry to say that the 05 Shiraz just didn’t do it. First off, I could really taste this wine on the sides of my tongue. Really a strange affect. Was this a tangy white trapped in a red body? I usually get a nice round taste first on top for a red. Next, the overall taste was a just a little light and fruity. I know a Shiraz is not supposed to be as full bodied as a Cab as an example but I found this one a little too lacking in intensity. Could just be my preference. Try it if you want an tell me I’m wrong

Another topic. What is with the screw cap avoids “cork taint” stuff some vinters put out. A little cork might have been welcome. The Hogue reserve Cabernet by the way seems to get some good write-ups so, if I can find some on sale for $4.99…oh heck…even $9.99…count me in for a quest.