Yet another Australian wine featured on the blog? Hey, the Wine Curmudgeon calls them as he sees them, and if it means changing his mind and admitting that he doesn't know everything that he thinks he knows, that's what makes him the Wine Curmudgeon.
Or, to quote a wine drinker named danielbleier on CellarTracker (the blog's unofficial wine inventory software): "This is what I am looking for in a $10 wine."
The Stump Jump ($12, sample), is a blend of red Rhone varietals that includes grenache, and it is all of that. Since it's Australian, there is lots and lots of red fruit (black cherry?) and it's not shy about the fruit, either. But the wine is far from one dimensional, with a bit of a middle and even a finish and some tannins -- things most cheap Aussie wines don't bother with since they're only concerned with making the fruit explode in your mouth. And did I mention that the alcohol is only 14 percent, which is practically nothing for an Australian wine?
One caveat: The Stump Jump, despite its relative subtlety, does need hearty, stick to your ribs food. It is still Australian, and trying to drink this by itself would be an adventure in wine tasting. I drank it with with roasted pork country-style ribs, a fine fit, and it would have paired equally as well if I had smoked the ribs.
Wow, and it is available in Ontario at the LCBO! It is not very often that this occurs. Off to the wine store for a try!
Posted by: Richard Bosch | February 29, 2012 at 11:25 AM
Thanks as always wine curmudgeon. I picked up this bottle along with some other Australian and Argentinean wines at the local Virginia Safeway 30% off sale of supermarket wines last month. I've only worked my way through half of what I bought, but this blend was by far the best. Luckily I bought two...
Posted by: Dan H | February 29, 2012 at 09:36 PM
Good to know the gorgeous Aussie ihrsaz is so available in the UK. My only problem is that I seem to get dermatitis when I have too much of it. Is that weird or what? However undeterred, with winter on the doorstep in NZ, I am dreaming up lovely warming dishes to go with it.
Posted by: Sudhansu | March 13, 2012 at 07:06 AM