Whoa! It’s another wine that might be better in a Bunsen burner instead of your palette. I’d expect this from New Zealand or Chile but France? Sacre’ Blue! What where they thinking?
Well… it’s got a nice clear violet color and it’s some nice depth. But the nose is something else. Its bouquet is not a bad a recent New Zealand wine I tasted but it’s almost as bad making it difficult to get a good read on anything else. Decanting and letting it rest for 30 minutes might help. There might be some cherry notes beyond the kerosene but who knows. It’s got a moderate acidity and an OK finish, but the turpentine smell early on really doesn’t help this wine at all. Otherwise, not bad.
Grade: C- Price: $9
Dulong
Merlot
2004
France
Alcohol: 12.5% by Volume
I'm a little confused. Do
I'm a little confused. Do kerosene and turpentine smell/taste the same? And you think that this wine isn't bad, even with the kerosene and/or turpentine flavors?
Off tastes
It comes under the broad label of "Chemical" and a more narrow definition of "Petroleum". A typical description is one of gasoline or kerosene. Other Chemical tastes being "Pungent" or "Sulfur". This is definitely an off-taste and to be avoided. With this wine, you might be able to lessen the smell by decanting the bottle and allow the odor to dissipate.