Never Heard of Monastrell? Maybe You Have.

Costco store display of the 2020 Goru Verde Monastrell, Jumilla, Spain - 90 Points for just $7.99

Fast Facts: 2020 Ego Bodegas Goru Verde Monastrell, Jumilla, Spain ($7.99 @Costco in California – Item #1258623)   Let’s start with the basics.  Monastrell is a grape variety.  It’s a deeply bold, smoky red wine found in abundance in Central Spain and Southern France (where it’s known as Mourvèdre) and where it is the “M” … Read moreNever Heard of Monastrell? Maybe You Have.

A Great TJ’s Cab Sauv, Just Don’t Call it Napa

Front label of 2020  Trader Joe's Grand Reserve Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Lot #95, Sonoma County, California

Fast Facts: 2020  Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Lot #95, Sonoma County, California ($12.99 @Trader Joe’s in California)   I am a self-professed insufferable wine snob, but I just have to say that it really bugs me when my California (!) friends say they are going to visit Napa and I discover … Read moreA Great TJ’s Cab Sauv, Just Don’t Call it Napa

Super Tasty, Super High QPR from this Super Tuscan

Bottle and glass of Kirkland Signature 2018 Toscana in front of a fire. $14.99 at Costco.

  Fast facts: 2020 Kirkland Signature Toscana IGT, Italy ($13.99 @Costco; California – Product #1181768)   Tuscany is arguably the most important region in central Italy, where it is known as Toscana. Our reviews of this “Super Tuscan” wine date back to the 2016 vintage.  Somewhat incredibly, it was $13.99 then too. Although the price … Read moreSuper Tasty, Super High QPR from this Super Tuscan

A Perennial Favorite from Costco – More French Lessons

Fast Facts: 2020 Kirkland Signature Gigondas, France ($13.99 @Costco in California – Item #11341020)   One of the nice things about Costco’s line of Kirkland Signature wines is not just their incredible QPR, but also their relative price stability in this era where most prices keep ratcheting higher. We have been mining a French wine … Read moreA Perennial Favorite from Costco – More French Lessons

Our Perennial Favorite Napa CabSauv at Costco for Under $20

Costco store display of the 2020 Kirkland Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, Suscol Vineyard, Napa Valley, California

Fast Facts: 2020 Kirkland Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, Suscol Vineyard, Napa Valley, California ($17.99 @Costco in California – Item #1491800)   This is one of our favorites and we were delighted to see this just show up in our local Costco. We have reviewed the 2018 and 2019 vintages and found this 2020 may be the … Read moreOur Perennial Favorite Napa CabSauv at Costco for Under $20

2020 KS WV PN

Classy new 2020 Kirkland Signature Pinot Noir lablel, from Willamette Valley, Oregon via Costco

Fast facts: 2020 Kirkland Signature Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon ($12.99 @ Costco, California – Item #975274) No, that subject line is not a recently-spied vanity license plate on the highways here in SoCal.  It is short hand for this week’s featured wine from the PNW.  (Shorthand for the Pacific Northwest, aka the “other” west … Read more2020 KS WV PN

Oakville Napa Cab for Under $20? Thanks, Costco!

Store display of the 2020 Kirkland Signature Series, Cabernet Sauvignon

2020 Kirkland Signature Series, Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, Napa Valley, California  ($19.99@Costco, California – Item #866663)   This week we are featuring a Kirkland Signature Series wine from the “high rent district” of Napa.  Although those references may be redundant.   Let’s start with some basics here, which may or may not be new information for … Read moreOakville Napa Cab for Under $20? Thanks, Costco!

Bingo! Wine Stalking Pays Off at TJ’s

Front label of the 2020 Les Sommets Liès Corbières, France - a mere $6.99 @Trader Joe’s

Fast facts: 2020 Les Sommets Liès Corbières, France ($6.99 @Trader Joe’s,  California)   During a recent visit to my local Trader Joe’s, I overheard an employee enthusiastically recommending this wine.  She was telling a customer that it was “everyone’s favorite” among store employees.  Needless to say, my curiosity was piqued.  So when she was free … Read moreBingo! Wine Stalking Pays Off at TJ’s

Thanksgiving Wine Numero Dos

Bottle and glass of 2020 Schloss Vollrads Estate Riesling

Fast facts: 2020 Schloss Vollrads Estate Riesling, Rheingau, Germany ($15.99@ Costco, California – Item #540982)   Sam Sifton of the New York Times Cooking site perfectly captured the holiday vibe for me when he wrote last week: “Thanksgiving isn’t just one day. It’s a season, an incantation, a way of thinking about the world. And … Read moreThanksgiving Wine Numero Dos

Is This the Best $11 Red Wine in America?

Bottle and glass of 2020 Kirkland Signature Red Blend, Napa Valley, CA

Fast facts: 2020 Kirkland Signature Red Blend, Napa Valley, CA ($10.99 @ Costco, California – Item #333110)   Ever heard of a “brand refresh?” It’s a term I heard regularly in my three decades – and counting – in the wine trade. It basically refers to a “facelift” when an existing wine brand gets a … Read moreIs This the Best $11 Red Wine in America?