Woop Woop. I tried not to hate on this wine before tasting it, but it was hard. The goofy-ass name, the 15% Alc, and the love to hate relationship I have with bombastic Aussie Shiraz...
I popped the Zork (A unique alternative closure that I kind of like)... and cautiously poured a glass....
2007 Woop Woop Shiraz
(Australia) Syrah Variety. About $11. Haunting shelves all over the US.
More garnet than purple- a revolting nose of burnt cigarettes, a dirty ashtray, alcohol, and artificial fruit syrup. I can't escape the burnt cigs.... On the palate, full bodied, red licorice, more ciggies, some rock, and a long menacing finish.
I spit the wine, and grabbed a High Life to chase it to try and slaughter the finish...
Not content to accept defeat- I ran this wine through the "Vitilator" to see if some aeration would help.
Remarkable difference.
The dirty ashtray smell fell back and the wine showed more intense fruit, and some rock. Still, too big and fruity for me, but just no longer 100% nauseating.
Again- still determined to make this work, I thought of a quick pairing-- I threw some popcorn in the microwave, and then liberally applied Bacon Salt and black pepper.... The combo worked pretty well. Smokey flavors pairied well with the big fruit, and even seemed to hide the Alcohol. I'd be content to have a glass of this and the popcorn while watching reruns of American Gladiators...
I popped the Zork (A unique alternative closure that I kind of like)... and cautiously poured a glass....
2007 Woop Woop Shiraz
(Australia) Syrah Variety. About $11. Haunting shelves all over the US.
More garnet than purple- a revolting nose of burnt cigarettes, a dirty ashtray, alcohol, and artificial fruit syrup. I can't escape the burnt cigs.... On the palate, full bodied, red licorice, more ciggies, some rock, and a long menacing finish.
I spit the wine, and grabbed a High Life to chase it to try and slaughter the finish...
Not content to accept defeat- I ran this wine through the "Vitilator" to see if some aeration would help.
Remarkable difference.
The dirty ashtray smell fell back and the wine showed more intense fruit, and some rock. Still, too big and fruity for me, but just no longer 100% nauseating.
Again- still determined to make this work, I thought of a quick pairing-- I threw some popcorn in the microwave, and then liberally applied Bacon Salt and black pepper.... The combo worked pretty well. Smokey flavors pairied well with the big fruit, and even seemed to hide the Alcohol. I'd be content to have a glass of this and the popcorn while watching reruns of American Gladiators...
