Betsy's working tonight, and David and I were having leftovers (his paternal
grandmother had brought him dinner the night before- she's Japanese and cooks a
good if slightly bizarre combo of Japanese, Polish, and "american" cuisines). I
stared at the mostly filled bottle of Villa Puccini oakjuice, but couldn't
convince myself to try again- maybe it'll be used for cooking. Instead I
thought it was time to try the 2001 HRM Rex Goliath Giant 47 Pound Rooster
Central Coast Pinot Noir (hey,. maybe longest non-German wine name I've ever
typed). It got some good press here, and the price is hard to beat ($5.99 at
Varmax before 10% discount, whee hoo!). Dick, Ed, and Mark S. have all weighed
in, it's my turn.

Nice hint of damp earth at the nose, ripe ripe (ok, overripe) red fruit on the
palate. Kind of raspberry meets cherry cough syrup. Descriptors are sounding
like I like it less than I actually do. Plenty of fruit, light vanilla-ey oak.
Finish is quite short, but what do you want for $5.40?

Good points:
Tastes like pinot (albeit overripe Pinot)
Earth
Clear fruit
$5.40

Bad Points:
Too soft, better acidity would definitely help here
Short finish

Verdict: B, which at this price point means I'll probably buy more. Good wine
to have around in the "cheap enough to cook with, good enough to put out on
table at big party" category.

Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B
a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party
where it was only choice.
Dale

Dale Williams
Drop "damnspam" to reply

On 02 Apr 2004 02:16:37 GMT, amnspam (Dale Williams)
wrote:

>Betsy's working tonight, and David and I were having leftovers (his paternal
>grandmother had brought him dinner the night before- she's Japanese and cooks a
>good if slightly bizarre combo of Japanese, Polish, and "american" cuisines). I
>stared at the mostly filled bottle of Villa Puccini oakjuice, but couldn't
>convince myself to try again- maybe it'll be used for cooking. Instead I
>thought it was time to try the 2001 HRM Rex Goliath Giant 47 Pound Rooster
>Central Coast Pinot Noir (hey,. maybe longest non-German wine name I've ever
>typed). It got some good press here, and the price is hard to beat ($5.99 at
>Varmax before 10% discount, whee hoo!). Dick, Ed, and Mark S. have all weighed
>in, it's my turn.
>
>Nice hint of damp earth at the nose, ripe ripe (ok, overripe) red fruit on the
>palate. Kind of raspberry meets cherry cough syrup. Descriptors are sounding
>like I like it less than I actually do. Plenty of fruit, light vanilla-ey oak.
>Finish is quite short, but what do you want for $5.40?
>
>Good points:
>Tastes like pinot (albeit overripe Pinot)
>Earth
>Clear fruit
>$5.40
>
>Bad Points:
>Too soft, better acidity would definitely help here
>Short finish
>
>Verdict: B, which at this price point means I'll probably buy more. Good wine
>to have around in the "cheap enough to cook with, good enough to put out on
>table at big party" category.

And, if you liked that, be sure to try the Merlot (which I've come to
like more than the PN as I've worked through my second case), and the
Cabernet Sauvigon (which starts a bit harsh but with an hour of airing
becomes quite respectable), and the Chardonnay (which has all the
blatant in-your-face punch of an Aussie Chard.)

All have come across to me as incredible value at the price point and
perfect for that "open another bottle" or "time for a taste with a
good book before the fireplace" moment.

Of course, I've only had a little more than six cases worth of
experience with the wine so far, and it may not hold up to long term
cellaring.....but so what?


Ed Rasimus
Fighter Pilot (USAF-Ret)
"When Thunder Rolled"
Smithsonian Institution Press
ISBN #1-58834-103-8

In article >, Ed Rasimus
> writes:

>And, if you liked that, be sure to try the Merlot (which I've come to
>like more than the PN as I've worked through my second case), and the
>Cabernet Sauvigon (which starts a bit harsh but with an hour of airing
>becomes quite respectable), and the Chardonnay (which has all the
>blatant in-your-face punch of an Aussie Chard.)
>
>All have come across to me as incredible value at the price point

Will keep an eye out, though I think my store only had the PN. Thanks.
Dale

Dale Williams
Drop "damnspam" to reply

want for $5.40?
>
>Good points:
>Tastes like pinot (albeit overripe Pinot)
>Earth
>Clear fruit
>$5.40
>
>Bad Points:
>Too soft, better acidity would definitely help here
>Short finish
>
>Verdict: B, which at this price point means I'll probably buy more. Good wine
>to have around in the "cheap enough to cook with, good enough to put out on
>table at big party" category.

I was in Orlando, FL during March break and couldn't find it at an ABC
store. Was I looking in the wrong place?

Larry
Southern Ontario

On 02 Apr 2004 02:16:37 GMT, amnspam (Dale Williams)
>
>Bad Points:
>Too soft, better acidity would definitely help here
>Short finish
>
>Verdict: B, which at this price point means I'll probably buy more. Good wine
>to have around in the "cheap enough to cook with, good enough to put out on
>table at big party" category.
>
>Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B
>a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party
>where it was only choice.
>Dale


I was in Orlando, Fl during March Break and couldn't find this
'treasure" I went to an ABC store. Was I looking in the wrong
places?

Larry
Southern Ontario

Larry > wrote in
:

> On 02 Apr 2004 02:16:37 GMT, amnspam (Dale Williams)
>>
>>Bad Points:
>>Too soft, better acidity would definitely help here
>>Short finish
>>
>>Verdict: B, which at this price point means I'll probably buy more.
>>Good wine to have around in the "cheap enough to cook with, good
>>enough to put out on table at big party" category.
>>
>>Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent
>>wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't
>>drink at a party where it was only choice.
>>Dale
>
>
> I was in Orlando, Fl during March Break and couldn't find this
> 'treasure" I went to an ABC store. Was I looking in the wrong
> places?
>
> Larry
> Southern Ontario
>

For what it is worth I find the big Rooster in Grocery stonres and
haven't noticedit much at the ABC. It is selling at our local Harris
Teeter for 7.99 a bottle (Jacksonville area)

"Larry" > wrote in message
...
> I was in Orlando, Fl during March Break and couldn't find this
> 'treasure" I went to an ABC store. Was I looking in the wrong
> places?
>
> Larry
> Southern Ontario
>

Yes, you should have looked in a Publix supermarket.

pavane

in article , jcoulter at
wrote on 4/2/04 3:07 PM:

> Larry > wrote in
> :

>>
>> I was in Orlando, Fl during March Break and couldn't find this
>> 'treasure" I went to an ABC store. Was I looking in the wrong
>> places?
>>
>> Larry
>> Southern Ontario
>>
>
> For what it is worth I find the big Rooster in Grocery stonres and
> haven't noticedit much at the ABC. It is selling at our local Harris
> Teeter for 7.99 a bottle (Jacksonville area)
>


Cost Plus World Market (which has stores in many US states) carries Rex
Goliath. Here in Southern California they carry Chardonnay, Merlot and
Cab, but not the Pinot. The Pinot seemed to have gotten the best reviews
here until now and I've had to search a bit but found it at Whole Foods
Market.

Another sleeper value being touted around here lately is Cline's "Red Truck"
Mourvedre/Syrah blend @ $8.99. I just picked up a couple of bottles (at
Cost Plus) but haven't tried it yet.

Hi Ed,
I had tried the 47 pound CS and had a neutral opinion.
I think I'll revisit, and pour the wine before I grill
the steaks, ground beast, or whatever. Thanks for the tip.
Dick

Ed Rasimus wrote:
<snip>
> And, if you liked that, be sure to try the Merlot (which I've come to
> like more than the PN as I've worked through my second case), and the
> Cabernet Sauvigon (which starts a bit harsh but with an hour of airing
> becomes quite respectable), and the Chardonnay (which has all the
> blatant in-your-face punch of an Aussie Chard.)
>