Yellow Tail Cabernet Sauvignon

Yellow Tail Cabernet Sauvignon

Harris Teeter

2 for $10 (on special)

This blog has been a little quiet lately, due to me doing the whole diet thing and wine just didn't fit into my calorie counts.

This is my second foray into what Yellow Tail has to offer.  Cab sauvs have consistently been my favorite type of red.  I read another budget wine review elsewhere that it was decent and I decided to try it for myself.

After pouring, I let it air out for a small amount of time next to me and I could smell it from the table.  It's a pungent wine with scents of dark berries and chocolate.  Not unpleasant at all.

The berries and chocolate translates well into the taste.  You catch a hint of spicy peppery oak on the end, but it's not as smooth as other cab sauvs I've had before.  It is drinkable but I'd recommend having it with food.  There's a slight bitter mineral taste on the tongue at the end and it's a bit astringent to the point where it leaves a 'cotton mouth' feel.  The taste of alcohol is noticeable above the other notes and almost gives it a vinegar like flavor.  It's a bit off putting, to be honest.

I tried it with a little dark chocolate to see how that experience was and it didn't change much.  There are wines where on the first sip or two, I can tell I like it.  This one, even after a glass and a half, hasn't impressed me.  Not the worst, but I probably won't buy it again.

SCORE: 4/10

Yellow Tail Chardonnay

Yellow Tail Chardonnay

Harris Teeter

2 for $10 (on special)

I'd always put off buying Yellow Tail because it was one of those 'mainstream mass produced' wines; something I foolishly avoid due to my affection for American wines and those from small local wineries...

(like "You've probably never heard of it" Vineyards)

But then I got over myself.

A recent bad experience with a questionable bottle of Barefoot Chardonnay had me running for the hills and searching for something different and upon finding a 2 for $10 special at my neighborhood Harris Teeter, I jumped on it.  I picked up a bottle of Chardonnay and Cab Sauv to try.

The wine is a light golden straw color with a clean fruity nose of peaches, pineapples, and oranges.

The first sip was a bit sharp and acidic and seemed to overwhelm my taste buds, but I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly it smoothed out.  Most affordable chardonnays that I've tried are fermented in stainless steel so I might expect a crisp flavor with only slight hints of vanilla at the very end and not much else.  This chardonnay has a long finish that's creamy with a hint of smoky oak that lingers on the tongue.  Now I don't know if they ferment their chardonnay in oak, but it certainly tastes like they do.

It's a little sweet for a chardonnay and that makes for easy drinking.  While not one of the best I've ever tasted, it's definitely not the worst.  In conclusion, Yellow Tail Chardonnay is a pleasant and refreshing wine; great to accompany a weekday meal or just to sip on the porch.

SCORE: 6/10