The Big Red Monster
Price: $9
Maker: Big Red Productions, Rutherford, California
Packaging: 750 ml bottle, artificial cork
Alcohol: 14.8%
Our Rating: 9 out of 10
We’re definitely suckers for a catchy wine label, so it’s no surprise that The Big Red Monster ended up into our shopping cart. This non-vintage wine has a movie motif, with a label that looks like a 1950s film poster. The edges of the label even feature faux chipping to enhance the vintage look. Various puns in the wording (for example, it’s from Big Red Productions, not Vineyards) further enhance the movie theme. The wine is far from monstrous, though. It’s a pleasant, if uncomplicated, red table wine with a relatively high alcohol content. Its aroma is mild and fruity, with some spice mixed in. The label recommends that the wine be allowed to breathe for 30 minutes before drinking. We had to sneak a taste after opening the bottle, but we agree that The Big Red Monster needs some air to achieve its potential. It’s flavor is fruit forward, with plenty of black cherry and plum and well-structured tannins. This wine falls into the “crowd pleaser” category in our opinion… it’s very accessible to those who aren’t wine snobs, but even more selective wine drinkers won’t completely reject it. Despite it’s higher alcohol content, The Big Red Monster goes down easily, and if you are serving it to guests you’ll find yourself refilling their glasses often.
We couldn’t find varietal information on the label, but the L.A. Daily News says this wine is a “syrah, zinfandel and petite sirah blend.” The Detroit news called The Big Red Monster “screamingly good.” And Playboy named it their “Drink of the Week“, noting, “it’s nice when something tastes as good as it looks. In this case, the big red combines syrah, zinfandel and petite sirah into one non-vintage blend, making for one big, meaty red with black currant flavors and hints of cherry. It is a full-bodied, slightly spicy wine better suited for beef or lamb than popcorn or Junior Mints.”
Overall, this a fun, uncomplicated wine - serve it for casual entertaining, and it will certainly attract attention and spark conversation.
Add this post to: del.icio.us - Digg it - Stumble it - Furl - Yahoo MyWeb
November 5th, 2006 at 11:40 pm
[...] JackaRoo Big Red Cabernet Shiraz Merlot 2003 is the second “big red” we’ve tried in as many days, the previous being The Big Red Monster. In fact, the two wines have a lot in common. They are full bodied and very fruity in nature. JackaRoo Big Red starts with an aroma of raspberry, vanilla, and spice. Its flavor is full of bold dark berry notes, with a bit of mocha, leading to a spicy finale. [...]
September 3rd, 2007 at 4:18 pm
I live in Florida is there anyplace in Florida that sells this wine? I got a bottle in Massachuettes and fell in love with it. It is a wonderful table wine. Please tell me they sell it here too although I have not as yet found it locally.
September 3rd, 2007 at 9:09 pm
Can’t help you here, Kathy. Sorry… Perhaps you can contact a Florida distributor and find out if any local outlets carry this wine.
September 19th, 2007 at 10:58 am
Hey Kathy, I live in Florida also and I found that Sweetbay supermarket carries this wine. That is where I found it. I’m a little late, but hope that helps.
Rachel
September 19th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
Thanks for chiming in, Rachel!
November 3rd, 2007 at 9:23 pm
I got this BIG red at Cost Plus World Market and WOW was it smashing! Let it breather FOR SURE for at least 1/2 hour if not more - longer the better. Smooth, big, full bodies, left me licking my chops~
December 9th, 2007 at 1:33 pm
Just bought a case of the Big Red Monster at the Publix in S. Tampa (Dale Mabry). Its a great wine.
April 1st, 2008 at 10:54 am
I just received this bottle of wine as a gift because of my love for old horror flicks. Let me just say I’m going out to get some more. It was delicious, it took just a few minutes for me a couple of guests to polish it off.
Thanks Stacy and Rob
August 7th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Any place in Ohio sell Big Red Monster