See no Pinot Evil

I've read frequently in The Wall Street Journal of the glut of French wine literally being fed to farm animals or washed down drains because of over production, so I was optimistic about Pinot Evil, a Pinot Noir from France, that I found at World Market for about $6 a bottle. I admit, I bought into the hype that some great French wines were finding their way to the US for a pittance.

Unfortunately, Pinot Evil wasn't very good, though it improves with time. If you have enough time to drink a few glasses of it, the taste doesn't matter so much. I can't judge the nose because I drank two glasses while cooking. The scent of the lobster risotto was a bit strong, so I didn't get the full bouquet of Pinot Evil. By the time I had a glass and an ample helping of fresh air, I noticed only the flat-ish flavor. For a Pinot Noir, Pinot Evil lacked taste. It was a bit dry, more like a Cabernet, and didn't fill my palate with flavor.

Letting Pinot Evil breathe didn't improve its nose or flavor. This wine fell flat on my palate and my memory. Though it has a cute label and is affordable, there are other much better wines for $6-$9 for a budget evening! Total Wine and World Market find no shortage of affordable reds for your table. Just close your eyes to Pinot Evil and enjoy something new.