Good Cheap Wine Guide

What a loony world. Smoking Loon Cali Cab 2006

RATING: Good Enough to Share with Brother Dave

I was minding my own business, deeply embroiled in thought during a solo lunch at a local deli and provisions shop. What weighed on my mind? I had to replace my lawn trimmer! You just don’t enter into a decision like that without some angst. After all, this is a ten year relationship we’re talking.

Two very stylish ladies dined at the table crowded next to mine enjoying their pasta, spinach salad and chilled white pinot grig. From their table I overheard one say to the other, “I just don’t want to tell him I love him until the test comes back.” Use your imagination from here.

All of a sudden it hit me! The cordless one, get the cordless trimmer.

I finished lunch and walked away from the table thinking, “What a loony lunch conversation and even more-so…what a loony world we live in!” Then, there on the endcap in front of me, almost as a sign from the heavens…was the display for Smoking Loon wines. It seemed like powers beyond my understanding had pointed me towards this particular Wine Quest and…who am I to fight spiritual intervention! Smoking Loon it would be. Oh by the way it was on sale for $8.99. To the Wine Quest!

What Others Say: winemakers notes

“Dark plum color with a nose reminiscent of black cherries with a touch of cinnamon and cloves. Brimming with ripe raspberry and blackberry fruit with a touch of white pepper and dill; this Cabernet Sauvignon finishes with notes of currants and strawberry rhubarb pie filling.
Lamb chops with mint jelly, beef and porcini mushrooms in an oyster sauce, or even big veal meatballs in a rich tomato sauce over your favorite pasta would pair well with this Cabernet. With enough structure to stand up to hearty dishes, its fruit is enough to enjoy as the appetizer itself.”

What I Thought: Really attractive labeling with a Nordic-like tapestry appearance gave some promise. Interesting bottles I think do improve the wine experience. They however have no impact on the taste of the wine. In this case…darn. I really wanted to like this wine. It would look attractive in my wine rack. The label goes great on the dining room table. It’s cheap (around $10 at regular price). All good things and all exactly the reason to pick a wine…right? But unfortunately, the taste was a little disappointing. At first, there seemed to be a good nose to the wine but then I got this almost “tinny” metallic scent. Maybe I didn’t let it breathe long enough? Maybe it’s the “Neo-cork” Smoking Loon uses? (not like the Neo from Matrix…”neo” like new…but wait, the neo-cork is not a metal object…..hmmm) Maybe I imagined the taint because I was watching the movie Transformers. (Autobots really exist you know!) Not sure why, but I did get a metal hint at first from the taste as well.

But, I quested on! After about swirl-slurp-swish-swallow number three, the taste had subsided. The taste was generally full with a finish of “strawberry rhubarb pie filling”. (Just kidding, I have no idea what that means!) I checked out some other online reviews as well. Smoking Loon seems to be a “pump it or dump it” kind of wine. You’re either a lover or a hater. Overall, I think I would try the Smoking Loon again, probably the Pinot next time and maybe next time I’ll drink it while watching Tudors or something more organic without robot lead characters.

Try a Loony wine yourself. It goes perfect with the world we live in.

Cheers from the Wine Oaf!