Greener Planet Shiraz – Merlot – Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

Price: $11
Maker: Greener Planet
Varietal: Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon blend
Packaging: 750 ml bottle, natural cork
Alcohol: 13%
Our Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Our hopes were limited when we tried Greener Planet Shiraz – Merlot – Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 – what can one expect from (apparently) a bunch of French environmentalists? As it turns out, one can expect a rather tasty red wine made from”organically grown grapes.” The nose is blackberry and spice, with cedar and leather notes in the background. On the palate, this wine is smooth, rounded, and well-structured. Juicy berry flavors combine with spicy oak and a hint of chocolate to create a nice balance and medium finish. We found this wine improved considerably after breathing.

We tried to learn more about Greener Planet, but didn’t have much success. The bottle suggests one visit greenerplanet.com, which is actually a spammy parked domain. (Oops, it’s always a good idea to actually register the domain before you print the labels!) Even the origin of the wine is cryptic – the label reports, “Bottled by: 11N129 at F11160”. That certainly helps… at least we know it’s a product of France.Perhaps this is all a PR move by Wal-Mart (we found this wine at Sam’s Club, and haven’t seen it sold anywhere else) – they can add it to the list of “organic” products they offer.

Whatever the origin of this wine, it’s a good buy and would make a great gift for your left-leaning friends. It’s the perfect wine to enjoy while watching Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth. And, if you’re going to present a bottle to Ann Coulter or Rush Limbaugh, be sure they know it’s a gag gift.