I found this wine on sale at the grocery store last night, and given my familiarity with the name "Estancia", I thought I should give it a try. At full cost, this wine does exceed the $10 barrier, but every website i've visited selling the wine lists it on sale for a price that fits it into this blogs demographic.
So there I was, on my way home, excited to drink a nice glass of red wine while packing for my pending trip to a buddy's destination wedding. I opened the bottle and let it breath for about 20 minutes before I poured the first glass. (Even for inexpensive wine I like to let the bottle "breathe" before diving in.) I took my first sip, then took a step back. It was too strong and overpowering. My mouth dried up in a matter of milliseconds, and the aftertaste did nothing to quell the heaviness. All in all, it was just too much. I tried having it with my dinner (spinach and blue cheese salad with chicken), but it did more to detract from the flavor of the meal than to enhance it.
Our friend Wilford Wong rates this wine pretty high. I definitely disagree with him. As an accompanyment to a night at home- drinking casually while watching TV, reading a book, or working away on some task, for me this wine just doesnt cut it.




