Tasting a Bargain-Priced Best Value California Red Wine: Geja's Big Bold Red

By way of background: This is a fairly generic sounding red wine with no descriptions about types of grapes or locations of the vineyards, other than the broad expanse of "California". Nonetheless, I've found some of the offerings from Wine Insiders - where this wine hails - to have been pretty good values at bargain basement prices, so this one looked of interest too.

Initial review : This is Geja's Private Reserve Big Bold Red, California, 2007, finished at 13.5% alcohol. Don't let the fancy name fool you. "Private" and "reserve" have no specific meaning in California, and this wine contains no information about its genesis or heritage. It is made by Baya Cellars in Morgan Hill, California.

In the glass: Medium deep red with hints of brick at the edges.

On the nose: Poured cool with a brief decant and swirled vigorously, shows shy light purple aromas with a touch of funk. From the aroma, seems like this will be somewhat dry, perhaps thin.

On the palate: The primary elements on the palate are in fact much sweeter and rounder than I anticipated. Brings tangy blueberries forward to the middle of your mouth. These are surrounded by some vanilla oak. Simple flavors, but pleasant. The finish is fast, but clean.

In summary: Overall, rates three stars on the five-star Spirit of Wine scale, making it a best value at its bargain price.

Following long decant: Full day kept cool in partially-filled bottle... Funk is gone from the nose now, which remains shy but is clean and fresh. Still simple, light blueberry on the palate. Held together well.

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