WTN: Two value wines from Chile with a funny name...

2005 Oops, Cabernet Franc Carmenère, Valle Central, Chile, $12. Sporting a youthful purple/red color, this wine is defined by blackberry, black cherry and coffee notes. Smooth, fruity and surprisingly complex for the tariff; 85/88.

2005 Oops, Carmenère Merlot, Valle Central, Chile, $12. Here’s another good value wine from Chile. Aromas and flavors reveal ripe blackberry, red cherry and mint leaf nuances. Rich and smooth in the mouth, pair this one with grilled meats; 85/88.

I've seen the "Oops" in stores before, but the name just kind of sparked some subliminal aversion. Glad you posted this because I probably wouldn't have considered trying them otherwise.

[James Roscoe]

I've seen the "Oops" in stores before, but the name just kind of sparked some subliminal aversion. Glad you posted this because I probably wouldn't have considered trying them otherwise.

Where?

I've seen the "Oops" in stores before, but the name just kind of sparked some subliminal aversion. Glad you posted this because I probably wouldn't have considered trying them otherwise.

Where?

Having trouble recalling specifically, it would have had to have been either Calvert Woodley, MacArthur or World Market.

Unless I'm confused and saw an ad for it and decided I probably woudn't buy it?

Dunno, just remember the name striking me as odd and kind of frivolous.

I've seen the "Oops" in stores before, but the name just kind of sparked some subliminal aversion. Glad you posted this because I probably wouldn't have considered trying them otherwise.

Where?

World Market in Friendship Heights. $10.99. I just picked up one of each. Now that I think of it, I first saw this in my friend's wine rack. Each time I visit her and she asks me to pick out what wine to drink, I've passed it by.

From the Miami Herald: http://www.miamiherald.com/284/story/77908.html

the name just kind of sparked some subliminal aversion

I've often wondered if the cutesy names/animals/cars/whatever helped or actually hurt marketing the wines. Like you, I don't pick up such bottles.

I have had several of the Toasted Head wines (with the bear on the label) and tend to like them, even the chardonnay.

Randy, it is hard for me to think that we agree on anything, but we do. I also do NOT buy cutesy named animal type named wines.

Randy, it is hard for me to think that we agree on anything, but we do. I also do NOT buy cutesy named animal type named wines.

So you're saying that if I ever open a winery I shouldn't name my Steuben Rose "Pink Kitty".

Howie, you are smarter than the average bear.

[James Roscoe]

I stay away from the cutsey labels as well. Thanks for the info K.

Thanks for the prompt, Randy. We had the Carmenère Merlot last night w/ fillet of venison, and it was a great match. Even my husband enjoyed the wine w/ the meat, and he's not a wine drinker. Looking forward to finishing the bottle w/ the leftover meat again tonight...

Thanks for the prompt, Randy. We had the Carmenère Merlot last night w/ fillet of venison, and it was a great match.

Glad you enjoyed it. The price is certainly right.

A dinner guest recently presented us with a bottle of Three Blind Moose Cab. We pleasantly thanked her and politely opened something else.

At a later date we tried it with some burgers. Really tried to approach it with an open mind, but we were very disappointed. Having said that, we don't just reject cutesy labels outright. We do check them out carefully though.

Here's a note on a sample of 3 Blind moose, and I was being generous:

2003 3 Blind Moose, Merlot, California, $10. The wine is very spicy and oaky, with simple cherry and chocolate notes; 80/80.

Somehow I get the feeling not much is in the bottle, so they try to put something on the label.

That might be worth a discussion. Anyone know of a artsy/fartsy/ cute label that delivers in the bottle as well?

That might be worth a discussion. Anyone know of a artsy/fartsy/ cute label that delivers in the bottle as well?

Hmmm, maybe I can make that the theme of one of my local wine club gatherings - cute/artsy labels only. We're bound to get one or two decent ones...right? Right??