Without a doubt, I have a soft spot for yellow tail Shiraz Grenache.  In college, this was my go to wine at under $10.  I even paired it with a barbacoa bowl from Chipotle in a Food and Wine pairing.  Yellow tail Shiraz Grenace was my jam!  So much so I review it not once, but twice!  Third time is the charm though, right?

Sight:  A medium red-garnet with a deeper purple core.and hints of brick toward the edges.

Smell:  Jammy raspberry and prune like plum drive to the front, and mingle with a good amount of spice.  Oak and smoke linger on the sides,  laying over notes of red plum and bright red berries.

Sip:  It starts smooth and round.  There never is quite enough brightness, but rather a flabby tongue enshrouding character.  There’s a huge amount of prune, raspberry, currant, and spice that envelop the taste buds.  In the back of the palate, cherry jam is present.

Savor:  On the finish, there’s a moderate amount of tannin, and a good amount of prunes and dried cherries.

Growing up with yellow tail Shiraz Grenache lends it a place in my heart, but there are elements about it I’ve outgrown.  One of the obvious elements of the wine that needs a lot of work is the acidity.  While the smooth texture is wonderful, it needs to be bright and punchy as well, balancing the weight with lively elements.  Instead of delivering on the promise of jammy and preserved fruit flavors, it gently fades out. Yellow tail Shiraz Grenache has great flavor, but lacks the texture it needs to make the next level.

Verdict:  Spice, Prune, Plum, Flabby
Price: $5
Australia