2007 Roogle Red

Taste: 2/5

Value: 4/5

Price: $12-$13

2007 Roogle Red is an Australian blend of 50% Shiraz, 30% Cabernet, 10% Merlot, 10% Petit Verdot and is aged in seasoned French and American oak for 12 months. Marquis Philips wines began as a joint venture between American importer Dan Philips and the Australian wife-and-husband winemaking team of Sarah and Sparky Marquis, giving inspiration to the roogle mark. Roogle Red came about a few years into the venture when a decision had to be made on what should be done with the wines that didn't fit into the blend for the winery's more upmarket wines. Each year the blend varies according to what wines are available. If all the wine is used for the first-tier bottlings then no Roogle Red is made that year. The label bears a picture of a cross between an American Bald Eagle and an Australian Red Kangaroo. Winemaker notes: Deep crimson. Fresh fruit of plums and ripe red berries. Some savory notes balanced by licorice and marzipan, subtle tobacco leaf and brambly characters. My take, despite a 90 point rating from Robert Parker, I found this wine overpowering, with unripe almost bitter fruit and nothing overly fantastic to rave about. Maybe it's the licorice, or perhaps the marzipan, the Petite Verdot which tends to tighten up a wine, or even the American oak. All I know is my opinion is starkly different than many others' of this wine (and it couldn't have been corked, because it was a screw top).