Today we’re reviewing yet another wine from the bargain wine mega-producer, Bronco Wine Company. This one is from their Fat Cat Cellars brand.
It has a somewhat fun label, which kind of reminds me of Keyboard Cat. Who knows? Maybe that’s what inspired the label. I have a feeling that’s probably the case.
The oak on the nose of this wine overpowers the fruit. I’d say it’s a touch out of balance, but if loads of oak is your thing then maybe you’ll dig it. It offers a nutmeg spice aroma, along with cedar and cherry. On the palate it actually has some quite lively fruit flavors, like cherry and plum. But it also has rather heavy oak flavors, particularly on the finish. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not anti-oak. But it just doesn’t come across as balanced and well-integrated with this wine. Still, for $10 I’ve tasted worse.
Wine: Fat Cat
Variety: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2009
Alcohol: 12.5%
Rating: 83
Price: $10.00
Some others have had a slightly more favorable read on this wine than me. It did get a gold medal at the 2011 SF Chronicle Wine Festival and Wine Enthusiast gave it an 85 and gave it a “Best Buy” classification.
Find Fat Cat Pinot Noir with Snooth
Disclosure: This wine was received as a sample.