Author: Chief Winehound
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From a Familar WoW Winery, a Pinot with Off the Charts QPR
Fast facts: 2023 Motif Pinot Noir, Monterey County, California ($4.99 @Trader Joe’s, California) Finding a decent Pinot Noir under $10 is challenging enough, so when we saw this $4.99 Motif Monterey Pinot Noir 2023 at Trader Joe’s, we weren’t sure what to expect. But there were some factors that suggested that this wine might…
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Love at First Sniff – a 90+ Point Costco Red Wine Find for Under $15
Fast Facts: 2020 Clos de los Siete Red Blend, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina ($14.99 @Costco in California, Item #227843) See that subject line about “love at first sniff”? That is one we used almost exactly two years ago when we were surprised to encounter this wine at Trader Joe’s. Well, it’s almost the…
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There’s a New Casone in Town at TJs
Fast facts: 2023 Terre Del Casone Vermentino, Toscana, Italy ($7.99 @Trader Joe’s, California) The Casone name might be a familiar one to long time readers. That’s because we love the ultra high QPR of their Super Tuscan which has been our Wine of the Week on several occassions. Thus, we took notice when we…
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Beyond “The Usual Suspects” in New Zealand
Fast facts: 2021 Elephant Hill Le Phant Rouge (Red Blend), Hawkes Bay, New Zealand ($13.97 @Costco, California, Item# 1888961) Well this was a nice surprise…92 points and 1/3 off of retail prices elsewhere? When wine consumers think of New Zealand wines, their minds usually go first to Sauvignon Blanc (the country’s most…
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A Dozen Eggs, or this Delicious Bottle of Red Wine ?
Fast facts: 2020 Requiem Syrah/Merlot, Columbia Valley, Washington $6.99 (@Trader Joe’s, California) I know you are probably as tired of hearing about the price of eggs – and the politicization of same – as I am. (Poor chickens don’t know what to make of us humans.) But I couldn’t help but notice the intersection…
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An Incredible Bordeaux Wine Value at – Wait for It – $6.89
Fast facts: 2022 Kirkland Signature Bordeaux Supérieur, Bordeaux, France $6.89 (@Costco, California, Item# 118548) Bordeaux is the largest wine region in France. It produces some 700 million bottles of wine in an average year. Like all wine regions, the style of the wine is heavily influenced by climate. Bordeaux has a cool marine coastal…
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There’s a New Kid in Town – With a Killer QPR
Fast facts: 2019 Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Nizza, Lot #117, Barbera, Asti, Italy $14.99 (@Trader Joe’s, California) I chose to reference the iconic Eagles song in the subject line for several reasons: It was my reaction when I first spied this wine at my local Trader Joe’s We recently saw the Eagles perform this…
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A Whole Lotta Pinot Goodness for just $12
Fast facts: 2022 Kirkland Signature Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon $11.99 (@Costco, California, Item# 975274) You may recall that we have reviewed this wine before, when it was a screaming deal at $12.99. Well don’t look now, but the price has dropped to $11.99, making its QPR even more solid. Champions of wines from…
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The Return to Horse Heaven Hills
Fast facts: 2022 Trader Joe’s Reserve, Lot #261, Cab/Syrah, Horse Heaven Hills, Washington $9.99 (@Trader Joe’s, California) Here is a fun fact: for a wine to be labeled as a single varietal bottling, it must have at least 75% of that wine grape. Which begs the question, why did the winemaker stop at 74%…
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A Cal-Ital Wine Gem from Costco for Under $20 – Get on It
Fast facts: 2022 Ferrari Carano Siena (Red Blend) Sonoma County, California $16.99 (@Costco, California, Item# 135936) Ferrari-Carano has been a leading producer of world-class, nationally acclaimed wines since 1985. From a small, 30-acre plot of grapes to the present 20 estate vineyards, their success is based on their commitment to quality as well as…