Random Palates
Tags: Wine, Food, Wine Tasting

Welcome To Random Palates

Random Palates is a new feature we do here at Qorkzcru to help you discover more about your wine. Here’s the way it works, we take individuals who have no experience in the wine industry and we pour them wine without telling them anything about it. A completely blind pour from one of the wines sold in the Qorkz Marketplace. We then take it a step further and ask them to taste the wine with four different foods. We discuss and get their feedback then we share with you to help you further determine if this wine is right for you.

First Up, The Players

WHAT SCENTS DO YOU SMELL?

Raja — I smell chocolate, vanilla, and I know it sounds strange, but a hint of banana

Stefania — I smell black pepper and blackberries.

CAN YOU SMELL OR TASTE THE ALCOHOL?

Stefania — I can smell and taste the alcohol

Raja — I can smell it but I can’t taste it

WHAT FRUIT/BERRY FLAVORS DO YOU TASTE?

Raja — I definitely taste blueberry, plums and like a cherry syrup flavor up front and blackberries on the finish

Stefania — I taste rasberries. Definitely rasberries.

WHAT OTHER FLAVORS DO YOU TASTE?

Stefania — There is a spice there, maybe pepper? I can’t place it.

Raja — I don’t taste any additional flavors but I notice the tannins.

DOES THIS WINE HAVE ANY VEGETAL NOTES?

Raja — No. I don’t taste any.

Stefania — No. Not at all.

Winemaker Tasting Notes

“Deep purple in color, a seductive nose of violets, this blockbuster offers a mouthful of boysenberries, blueberries, and blackberries and finishes with chocolate notes. Stands up well to pork, game, or beef but soft enough to pair with chocolate or mixed berries” — Qorkz.com

DOES THIS WINE PAIR WELL WITH THE PLUM?

Stefania — I could eat peaches and plums with this wine all day. This is delicious!

Raja — I love the wine with the plum!

DOES THIS WINE PAIR WELL WITH THE DUBLINER CHEESE?

Raja — I think the cheese stands up well to the tannin

Stefania — Delicious with the cheese because both the cheese and wine flavors stand out. One isn’t overpowering

DOES THIS WINE PAIR WELL WITH THE STEAK?

Stefania — This wasn’t my favorite pairing. I think the wine is too strong for the steak

Raja — I would say these aren’t a match. They were okay together but don’t compliment one another like the plum did.

DOES THIS WINE PAIR WELL WITH THE CHOCOLATE?

Raja — Again, I think it was just okay with the chocolate. Definitely more with the cheese and plums.

Stefania — The chocolate sorta gets lost. I think the wine is too strong for it.

THE VERDICT

WHAT IS YOUR GUESS AS TO THE VARIETAL?

Stefania — I hate this part, this is so hard! It was very fruity so I would guess a Zinfandel?

Raja — I also taste the fruit, so I am guessing Merlot. It tastes like it softened, like it used to be stronger, so I am guessing an older Merlot.

REACTION TO IT BEING PETITE SIRAH

Raja — Oh interesting. I don’t know if I have ever tried that varietal before. It has big fruit flavors. I liked it.

Stefania — Same, it was a first for me as well, but I really liked it.

WOULD YOU CONSIDER BUYING THIS WINE? IF SO, WHAT IS YOUR PRICE ESTIMATE?

Stefania — Yes I would buy this wine. It was bold but without too much of a kick. I would guess it costs $56.00 a bottle.

Raja — Yes I would. There was great balance between the body, tannin, alcohol, and overall flavor. My guess, $59.00 a bottle.

THE ACTUAL PRICE IS $42 A BOTTLE. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE VALUE?

Raja — Good deal. I would have thought it would be worth much more, obviously, I thought it was a $60 a bottle wine

Stefania — Oh wow, much cheaper than I expected. Good deal!

HOW WOULD YOU RATE THIS WINE ON A 1–10 SCALE WITH 10 BEING THE BEST WINE YOU HAVE EVER HAD?

Stefania — I would rate it as an 8. I thought it was really good!

Raja — Same, I would rate it as an 8. I enjoyed it.

OVERALL THOUGHTS ON THE WINE?

Stefania — I enjoyed this wine. It fell in the middle for me. It’s the kind of wine that I could have with apps or during dinner. It seems very versatile.

Raja — This is a splurge wine. I would splurge for this wine.