This California Pinot Grigio got hit with some sort of magical latin owl named Bubo.  So it’s fair to say the marketing department has decided that this wine can sell, if only through relying on critter sales, such as those inspired by kangaroos and penguins.  Pinot Grigio is generally an inoffensive wine, but 2008 Bubo Pinot Grigio seems to be pushing the envelop on color pop for its label.  Is it explosively flavored, or do the colors burn out too bright?

Sight:  Light, but not as light as pinot normally is.  Getting a bit yellow with age.

Smell:  Apple, pear, and citrus predominately.  Touches of orange blossom.

Sip:  A little bit on the flabby side, the acid just doesn’t carry.  Texturally, it’s more moderate.  Pears with a hint of lychee are the predominate fruits.  Slightly floral and honeyed. [A.B.V. 13%]

Savor:  It seems to disappear, but, ah, the perks of being a wallflower.  Hiding in the background is a flavor like a honeyish, Pinot Grigio on the floral flabby side.  Have to look pretty hard to find it though.

Overall, it’s just not quite Pinot Grigio.  It’s more like the Chardonnay Viognier from the other day, which is rather unexciting for a Pinot Grigio, since it has the depth of neither grape.  Which is kind of why Pinot Grigio is made into the light, refreshing, innocuous young wine that it’s so frequently characterized as.  Lower alcohol could make this wine more palatable, as well as a younger vintage.

Price: $5.99
California
http://www.bubowine.com/home.html