13 June 2005

2004 Toad Hollow "Eye of the Toad" Pinot Noir Rosé

Here's a fun summer wine: the 2004 Toad Hollow "Eye of the Toad" Pinot Noir Rosé. About $10, made from pure Pinot Noir. The website says that it's only available in their tasting room, but I grabbed it off the shelf at a local wine shop. First off, I've got to say that even as a childhood lover of The Wind in the Willows, this is one of the ugliest wine labels I've ever seen. Not only is there a drawing of a toad, but one eye is open and replaced with a bit of red foil, meaning that if the light is right, the toad is staring at you with a glowing solid red eyeball, no pupil or iris.

As for the wine? It's quite good. Very mild berry flavors, dry, no tannins, and a short finish. Serve cold with just about anything--I had it with a burger and fries. It goes down pretty smoothly, like a Beaujolais Nouveau. Good wine for turning someone away from White Zinfandel.

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