But that description doesn't fully explain why you should buy this wine. Thank (insert 9th Circuit Court of Appeals-approved reference here) we have some other reasons to fall back on!

Other reason #1: Buy this wine and taste an enigma. I can just about guarantee that you haven't tasted a wine quite like this (unless you bought the '99 Big House Red, but that's cheating).

This one would be more aptly named "Big House's Kitchen Sink Red." I think there are only about three red grape varietals that aren't in this concoction. Together, they make something that tastes like zinfandel, but not quite. It tastes like sangiovese, but it sure ain't Italian. It'll remind you of several regions in France, but dip me in merde if this New World mutt is speaking French any time soon.

OK, fine, you say, but should I really spend my hard-earned cash on a novelty wine? Other reason #2 to plunk down a few pence for this plonk: It isn't plonk and it will only cost a few pence. Finding it for under $10 is a snap. So is finding 10 wines that cost more and taste less… good. Taste less good. Tasteless? Not good. You know what I mean, right?

So really, what's not to like? Well, the finish. There isn't much of one, and I don't like that. Otherwise, this is a great value wine, and you can feel good about buying it (supporting non-cork bottle stoppage). Good reasons to buy, and good karma if you do.

Cheers,
TSW

Reason alone to buy this wine: Bonny Doon is going to put the screws to it this year.

Already getting WoW Brownie points for using synthetic stoppers instead of genuine cork, Bonny Doon is now planning to bottle its Ca' del Solo label's Big House Red and White in screw cap bottles. While some of the romance of cork pulling may be missed, wine ruined by tainted corks will surely not!

But there are a few other reasons to buy this wine, and thankfully at least one of them the way it tastes. Well, and the way it smells.

The nose is fruitier than a drink with an umbrella in it. Raspberry and even a bit of strawberry dominate, but there's more going on. Spice -- mostly black pepper -- and plenty of earth and leather keep this red interesting.

On the palate, the spice and alcohol come through big house… I mean, big time. Sweet raspberry, cherry and tart cranberry mix it up with bright acidity, pepper and very light tannins. What's not to like?