Edited or otherwise, it seemed like one of those effusive descriptions which I find largely meaningless, whatever they say. I suppose I'd be more inclined to try it than a review that talked about the wine tasting like cat piss, but that's about it.
I actually found that tasting note useful. The key to good tasting notes is a controlled vocabulary on the part of the writer, and overall consistency from one note to the next. The "cat's pee" phrase is a good example. I don't think any of us has direct knowledge of what it tastes like (and probably not gooseberries either, for that matter) but anyone who has had a couple of NZ Sauvignon Blancs would know exactly what the phrase is referring to.
As far as the mega purple prose I posted, I agree with you stylistically, but still think it serves a useful purpose. From that note I have a good idea of what style that wine is made in and know more or less what to expect if I buy it. The words "hedonist", "loads of berry fruit", "silky tannins", etc. all have a distinct meaning for the person (actually it could have been one of two people) who I believe wrote that note. "Fruit bomb", the one I omitted, also has a distinct meaning in his vocabulary but that one has sort of gotten away from him.
That being said, even though a tasting note can give me a clue as to whether I *might* like a wine, that's all it can do. In the (partially outdated) words of Andre Tchelistcheff, "there is no substitute for pulling corks." |
