Not sure why, but ever since moving to California, I've been attached to Big House Wines. Maybe it's the name. Maybe the interesting labels and graphics. Maybe the great pricing. Who knows. What I do know is that I've kept them on my list of wines to pick up when they're released and that list is pretty short for wine in the $10 or less category (I depend a lot on my friend Jason over at Jason's Wine Blog to let me know what's good in the $5 - $10 category). Three wines from Big House today - the Pink, the White and the Red.
2008 Big House Pink The usual caveat here - not a fan of pink wine (unless it's the Domaine Tempier or Blackbird Vineyards Arriviste) so keep that in mind. Overall, not too bad. Lots of strawberries, minerals and a touch of pear, this one is a very smooth, easy drinker. Not a bad Rosé, actually, especially for the price of $8.
Ken's Wine Guide has this to say about it: This very affordable bright strawberry colored wine opens with a mild cherry bouquet. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied and balanced. The flavor profile is a mineral infused spicy strawberry. The finish is dry and subtle. This easy to drink wine is very refreshing. It would be a good option on a hot summer day. Pair it with pork chop.
What you should do: Buy it, if you like Rosé.
My rating: 85
2008 Big House White
Hadn't tried the Big House White until this tasting and although it's not the best white I've ever had, it's quite nice. A good blend of peach, pear and apricot, with mid-level acidity (but not as much as I expected). I found it to be a little hot on the finish, but the colder I tasted it, the less I picked up the alcohol, making this one reserved only for summer, straight out of the fridge or cooler.Ken's Wine Guide says this: If you like refreshing summer white wines that have some ripe fruit flavors, then this white blend may be the wine for you. It opens with a very attractive and aromatic floral bouquet. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, balanced, and shows a touch of sweetness. The flavor profile is a pleasant blend of ripe peach with hints of pear, light lime, and lychee. Overall it was very tasty. The finish is very refreshing. This very affordable white wine was my favorite from the Big House lineup. Enjoy it chilled this summer by the pool.
What you should do: Buy it. At $10, it's hard to lose on the Big House White. But, I would serve it nicely chilled, so that the alcohol doesn't come out to bite you.
My rating: 86
2007 Big House Red
This was the first Big House I tasted - the red. 4 years ago, I was impressed with the wine, something that stood out for under $10 and showed some complexity that I did not expect. Cherry, raspberry, vanilla and white pepper are all major players in this wine. Some heat on the back end, but not too much to make it unbearable. The acidity is just right and is what brings this wine to life. Definitely a good weekday burger or pizza wine.Big House Wines has this to say about it: Each variety selected for this blend brings its individual characters and distinct personality: spiciness from the Syrah, cherry and raspberries from the Sangiovese and Barbera, blueberries from the Tannat, cassis from the Grenache and chocolate from Mourvèdre. A wonderful mix of the best each variety has to offer.
What you should do: Buy it. A great value at $9, this will no disappoint.
My rating: 87
NOTE: the Big House Wines were sent to me as a sample from the winery.
Gadget
The Big House Red is what got me into wine...before that, I had never liked wine. As in ever. But then my girlfriend went off to Rome for school (for 4 months!), while I was stuck working in Seattle. She left me with a half open bottle on the countertop, which I promptly downed...and the rest is history. As corny as it sounds, this was my epiphany wine. Sure there have been other wines that were memorable in different ways, but this was the first.
that's a great story. we all have our first (or at least should have). mine was a barnard griffin cab / merlot. shared a bottle with my sister and a few friends right after i got out of college and it was then that i realized wine was something that i would enjoy the rest of my life. i had had wine before that but nothing that was any good and most of which came in a gallon jug. not good, not good at all...
You know what's funny is that the Barnard Griffith Cab Merlot came shortly after the Big House. Someone recommended it to me--I can remember drinking that too. I too can remember drinking "plonk," but instead of gallon jugs, we the Franzia that was a bag in box and stuck straws in the bags...so it was like a huge Capri Sun. Not good either.
You gave your team bottles of Big House as holiday gifts back in 2004 (I think - we were still in Seattle). I remember the unique label.
jeff - i avoided the franzia in college, but somehow got wrangled into yosemite road winery, for $4.99 per gallon jug. and it definitely tasted as bad as you might think.
astalker - i can't believe i remember this, but i think it was magnificent wine company's house wine - is that right? or, was it for sure the big house? i don't know if i had the big house before moving to california.