Don't be confused by the term vintage - this wine didn't come out of your mother's closet. The vintage actually refers to the year and location from which the grapes are picked, carefully pressed and made into wine. Fortunately for Wine of the Week, the ideal weather in southeastern Australia leading up to the 2004 vintage resulted in grapes with a fully ripened, complex flavor. This wine's most striking feature is its smoothness, since it goes down easily and enjoyably. The tastes are mild, if a bit diluted, but the subtle flavor is pleasing. Considering that most red wines under $10 are harsh and bitter, this merlot fares well in comparison. Street's own panel of wine experts tested these observations in real-world conditions at a trendy BYOB. We go the distance to see if this wine stacks up: Drinker #1: I like the color. Street: The hue is in fact a lovely, eye-catching mid-crimson with ruby highlights.
Drinker #2: I think it contains cherry. Street: This is quite the observant imbiber. In fact, the merlot contains black cherry, mulberry and spicy overtones.
Drinker #3: It's woody. It reminds me of the forest. Street: They call it Jacob's Creek for a reason. Each sip evokes thoughts of the tranquil beauty of nature, with its wood tannins and cedary nuances.
Drinker #4: It's acidic. I think it has a pH of about 9. Wait no, that's basic. I don't actually know anything about science. Street: The merlot is quite acidic, with a pH of 3.42. However, the delicate balance of flavors keeps the acidity from becoming overwhelming.
Drinker #5: It's really good. Very easy to drink. Much better than other wines I've tried. Street: With its 2004 Merlot, Jacob's Creek delivers on its promise to provide high quality wine at low prices.
