Budget Wine: Algorithm Red Blend California NV

This is a mystery wine. There is a website with one wine and no information. It is vinted and bottled by WX Wine Company—no website, no info.  The back label is full of pretentious, feel good winespeak–and no information.

If the wine were good it would be intriguing.

Light ruby in the glass but transparent, obviously under-extracted. Simple red plum and cinnamon flavors show but hints of something vaguely cabbage-like on the nose are distracting.

On the palate, it  manages to be watery and tart but slightly sweet and oily as well. Some chocolate notes on the palate but there is little structure and no integration, no tannins and a sour finish.

This is all too common in the wine business. Design a clever, eye-catching label and write some babble for the back, finagle shelf space in the supermarket and sell, since no one knows what’s in the bottle.

If you’re looking to drop $10 on a fancy label, this is your wine.

Score: 78

Price: $10

Alc: 13%

After drinking you will need to listen to Cass McCombs “Empty Promises”