Wine Review by Guest Blogger

I’m excited to share a wine review by a guest blogger today. Sharon Gelfand is a wine enthusiast in Ohio who worked in the fine dining world for many years. She recently responded to a Facebook post of mine about a big, bad red wine with a description of her favorite big, bad red wine. Her description was so deliciously wonderful that I asked her if I could use it as a guest blog post. She said, “Sure!”

Sharon, thank you so much for your incredible description of Small Gully Mr. Black’s Concoction (2008). I know you bought the wine at DEP’s Fine Wines and Spirits in Fort Thomas, KY. I will be on the lookout for this wine in CA. I can’t wait to try it.

Readers, get ready for a delicious wine review and a delicious read!

After seeing your posting today about the Revel Yorkville Highlands Queen of Hearts blend, I was compelled to write and tell you about the biggest and boldest red I have ever experienced.

I use the word experience because the nose alone on this wine was so lovely, like lying in fields of lavender and fresh herbs (this may be an example of the “garrigue” term you were referring to during a different post), it made me linger and hesitate to even finish consuming my tasting.

Small Gully Mr. Black’s Concoction (2008) is an Australian 96% Shiraz, 4%Viognier blend. Let it be said that I am NOT a fan of the Shiraz grape in general, so I was beyond amazed when I absolutely loved this wine!

However, it is not for the faint of heart.

The color had a visceral sanguine raisin-like hue. This is befitting, since the winery was created by a retired physician.

I will do my best to describe the palate experience. It was like Mohammad Ali in a bottle. A poetic articulate powerhouse that would compliment highly spicy and rich foods (a nice rack of barbeque ribs, big juicy well seasoned steaks, or flourless chocolate cakes).

As for cheese, this wine is so big that an extremely strong gorgonzola MIGHT stand up to it. Otherwise, forget it. A balsamic reduction might even be overshadowed but could possibly stand a chance, especially with other components in it like cayenne pepper. The habenero peach salsa held up well during our tasting, so there are some possibilities for lighter fare foods with this wine, but they are slim.

The flavors meld deep rich depths of plums, berry preserves, dried dark fruits, wood, some subtle leather, and spice that works together in such synchronicity, that one has a hard time separating what is most pronounced.

If I had to pick a leader, it would be the wood and dried fruit aspects; however, the forest wood flavors are not executed in the same way as an over-oaked California wine.

The finish is long, softer, and warm.

When swirling this wine, the legs go on for days.

I would recommend drinking this wine without food, either around a campfire/ outside during a cool crisp autumn evening or in the winter with a group of friends. It is far too special of a wine to drink alone.

If you get a chance to try this, let me know what you think.

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Wasn’t that a great wine review? Have you tried this wine? What did you think? Sharon and I would love to know.