Plungerhead – now that’s a peculiar name for a wine brand, isn’t it? I can’t say I’m privy to the backstory behind it, but what I can share is that earlier iterations of this label took the name quite literally. In fact, they featured an image of a man donning a toilet plunger atop his head. It’s safe to say that it probably didn’t fly off the shelves. No wonder they opted for a change.
Does the new label, featuring a woman diving headfirst into rolling waves, convey the essence of the name more effectively? It’s a bit of a stretch, but it does succeed in diverting your attention from the unconventional moniker. The artwork commands your gaze, with the woman in the striking red swimsuit exuding a free-spirited vibe. Her cascading, gold foil-highlighted hair flows beyond the label’s confines. If anything sells this wine, it’s undoubtedly this captivating image. It might even shift the brand’s appeal more towards female buyers.
Now, let’s talk about the front label typography – it’s a bit of a jumble. The Plungerhead typeface feels somewhat feeble, and “Cabernet Sauvignon” appears rather inconspicuous. The wedding-invitation-style script below it, especially when reversed out of a black background at a small size, is challenging to read. The same goes for the region – Lodi, which should be a selling point, is somewhat tucked away in a vertical bracket opposite the vintage on the other side.
As for the back panel, it lacks visual flair, but the copywriting is commendable. “Our wines are crafted to deliver bold, ripe flavors of grapes grown in the heart of Lodi, for those ready to take the plunge. Experience wines of possibility – captivating and capturing all of your senses. Plungerhead Cabernet Sauvignon takes you swimming deep into flavors of dark cherries, blueberries, and plums wrapped in toasted vanilla oak waves.” While the presentation doesn’t exactly entice you to read it thoroughly, the gauge icons denoting “Depth” and “Dark” do a decent job of linking water and wine.
The capsule, however, is tastefully done, featuring a repetition of the wave pattern against a red backdrop that ties into the colour of the woman’s swimsuit.
As for the wine itself, it’s decent but falls short of being exceptional. Given its origin in the Lodi region, I had higher expectations. It does exhibit the typical characteristics of dark berries, but ironically, I found it lacking in depth. Perhaps that’s what some critics refer to as its “approachability.”
Despite the critiques, Plungerhead might just get by on its image and spirited presentation. The diver embodies a sense of freedom that many can relate to – certainly more than a man with a toilet plunger on his head.
