Review: The Wines of AC/DC
For those about to drink, we salute you.
AC/DC may be best known for its crowd-pleasing heavy metal riffs, but the aging rockers now have another claim to fame: Their own wine brand. Big in their Australian homeland, these wines are now coming to the U.S. Bottles are branded with an on-stage photo of the band and an appropriately rockin’ name: Back in Black Shiraz, Highway to Hell Cabernet Sauvignon, Thunderstruck Chardonnay, and Hells Bells Sauvignon Blanc.
We tasted two of the latest releases. Thoughts follow.
2011 AC/DC Hell’s Bells Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand – Strong grapefruit character up front, which fades as the wine warms up, revealing a rather simple, not overly-tropical New Zealand (not Australian) Sauvignon Blanc. Ultimately turns toward a mildly acidic, easy-sipping white. Hellish? Not hardly. B+
2011 AC/DC Back in Black Shiraz Australia – The fruit bomb you’re expecting, an overwhelmingly sweet base with sour cherry overtones. Pure, cheap, brash, Aussie Shiraz. I’d have called it “Big Balls” instead. D
each $18 / vinport.com
2011 AC/DC Back in Black Shiraz Australia
$18
I laughed at the “Big Balls” comment. It’s a shame though. I’d oh bought the “Back in Black” over the others because it was my favorite song from them and I like a good Shiraz. That said, 21st Amendment (a brewpub in San Fran) makes a Back in Black IPA that is great.