1/2
Ah, the thrill of picking a wine based purely on its price tag and a vague promise of quality. Enter this 2021 Proprietary Red Blend, which I snagged for a cool $6.99 from $15—a price that screams either “hidden gem” or “you’re gonna regret this.” Naturally, I took the plunge because I live on the edge (and by that, I mean I buy cheap wine and hope for the best).
First impressions? Not terrible! That might’ve had something to do with the fact that I had already consumed some wine before this bottle. The first sip was smooth enough, nothing overwhelming. It had that “I’m trying really hard to be fancy” vibe but ultimately landed in the “meh” category. Drinkable? Yes. Memorable? Only if you count mild disappointment as a memory.
The real test came on night two. Let’s just say this wine aged like a gas station sushi. That pleasant-enough first night experience? Gone. Replaced by something slightly more acidic, slightly more bitter, and slightly more why am I still drinking this? I soldiered on, of course, because I’m not one to waste alcohol, but the romance was over.
Pairing-wise, I went with day-old pizza because that felt appropriate for a $6.99 bottle. Surprisingly, the pizza held up better than the wine.
Would I buy this wine again? Look, I love a bargain, but even I have my limits. If you’re looking for something cheap that might impress you for one evening (or if you just need a reliable way to convince yourself your palate is more sophisticated than it actually is), then sure, go for it. But if you value consistency, you might want to spend the extra few bucks on something that won’t turn on you overnight.
Types of Grapes: Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Tempranillo and another I forgot
ABV % / Fun Juice Level: 13.5%
Origin: California
Grocery Outlet Price: $6.99
