This past weekend I did a blind tasting with about 20 wines.  They were grouped according to variety (i.e. all the Cabernet Sauvignon at once, all the Pinot Noir, etc.)  There were a few surprises coming out of the tasting and this was one of them.

There are some brands that are seen practically everywhere and I admit that I have a prejudice against them.  I think of them as “supermarket brands,” “bulk brands,” or “generic brands.”  That’s why I do blind tastings, to help eliminate the prejudice and let the wine speak for itself.  This is one of those brands that I had sitting in the tasting queue, but admittedly I wasn’t excited about.  But I’m thrilled when a wine like this does well in a blind tasting because I know that it’s one that most readers can find just about anywhere they shop.

Forest Glen is one of many brands owned by cheap wine giant, Bronco Wine Company.  Some brands in the Bronco family sell for as little as $2.00 a bottle, but this Forest Glen has a suggested retail price of $11.00.  That said, you can probably find it on sale for under $10.

I tasted the Forest Glen alongside some other Pinot Noir that retails for more than double the price of this one, yet this was my favorite.  And it not only did well in my tasting, but I invited some friends to taste the wine after I was done and this was a crowd favorite.

Powerful floral, raspberry and strawberry aromas give this wine an exceptional nose.  The palate is beautiful with cherry, strawberry, and red raspberry blended with nutmeg-like spices.  It’s well-balanced and the acidity and tannins are both right about where I want them.  This is a very good wine.

I am simply amazed that this is from Forest Glen.

Wine: Forest Glen
Variety: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2008
Alcohol: 12.8%
Rating: 88
Price: $11.00

Find Forest Glen Pinot Noir with Snooth

Disclosure: This wine was received as a sample.  Another disclosure: I sometimes pronounce “Pinot” like “minnow” and I don’t know why… I know that’s wrong.