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?

A Great PNW Cab from Costco – K?

Glass and bottle of 2020 Kirkland Signature K Vine Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley, Washington

Fast Facts: 2020 Kirkland Signature K Vine Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley, Washington ($13.99 @Costco, California – Item #1462908)   You’d be forgiven for thinking that virtually all of the wine produced in the United States is produced in California. Because 86% of it is. In distant second and third places are Washington state … Read moreA Great PNW Cab from Costco – K?

A Costco CabSauv that Checks All the Boxes – Well, Almost All

Bottle of the 2019 Kirkland Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, Suscol Vineyard, Napa Valley, California, decanted.

Fast Facts: 2019 Kirkland Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, Suscol Vineyard, Napa Valley, California ($16.99 @Costco in California – Item #1491800)   The march of Kirkland Signature wines continues unabated.  The flood gates have opened and we are not complaining.  This is one of our favorites and we were delighted to see this just show up in … Read moreA Costco CabSauv that Checks All the Boxes – Well, Almost All

Yummy Paso Cab – Just $9.99 at Trader Joe’s

Glass and bottle of 2019 Familia Nueva Vineyards Liberte Cabernet Sauvignon

Fast facts: 2019 Familia Nueva Vineyards Liberté Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, California ($9.99 @ Trader Joe’s, California)   This post was supposed to be a dual between two Cabernet Sauvignons from Paso Robles.  Both are from Trader Joe’s. Both were $9.99.  It was a match made in vino heaven. Only one problem: the other wine … Read moreYummy Paso Cab – Just $9.99 at Trader Joe’s

The Secret’s Out About these Great Chilean Wines from Costco

Glass and bottle of 2018 Santa Rita Secret Reserve Red Blend

Fast facts: 2018 Santa Rita Secret Reserve Red Blend, Maipo Valley, Chile ($10.99 @ Costco, California – Item #623337)   While technically a new world blend, I would have pegged this red wine (a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah, 15% Carignan and 10% Grenache) as an old world wine, possibly French if tasted … Read moreThe Secret’s Out About these Great Chilean Wines from Costco

One of our Perennial Favorite Red Wines from Costco

Glass and bottle of 2019 Kirkland Signature Red Blend, Napa Valley, CA.

Fast facts: 2019 Kirkland Signature Red Blend, Napa Valley, CA ($10.99 @ Costco, California – Item #333110)     Tasting Notes: Start with nice aromas of cherry, spice, vanilla, cola, black pepper and a hint of sandalwood.  Smooth and silky in the mouth with flavors of black cherry, red berries, vanilla, and eucalyptus. which linger … Read moreOne of our Perennial Favorite Red Wines from Costco

Jonesing for a Great Napa Cab? Look to Trader Joes’s

A Santa statuette alongside a glass and bottle ofthe 2020 Trader Joe's Diamond Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon from the esteemed Stag's Leap district of Napa Valley.

Fast facts: 2020 Trader Joe’s Diamond Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California ($19.99 @Trader Joe’s, California)     Some of you may be familiar with unoaked Chardonnay bottlings.  These are wines that are not fermented or aged in oak casks. Most Chardonnay is. The winemaker’s motivation is to let the resulting wine … Read moreJonesing for a Great Napa Cab? Look to Trader Joes’s

A Trio of Tasty Trader Joe’s Wines for Your Labor Day Soiree

A trio of tastiness from Trader Joe's, just in time for your Labor Day celebrations.

Fast facts: 2020 Trader Joe’s Petit Reserve  Rosé ($6.99 @Trader Joe’s,  California) 2020 Trader Joe’s Reserve Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California ($9.99 @Trader Joe’s, California) 2018  Trader Joe’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley, Washington ($9.99 @Trader Joe’s,  California)   There’s a scene in the movie The Jerk, starring Steve Martin as..well, … Read moreA Trio of Tasty Trader Joe’s Wines for Your Labor Day Soiree

A Nice $9.99 Sonoma/Alexander Valley Cabernet from Costco – Perfect for Food

Bottle and glass of Kirkland Signature 2018 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

Fast facts: 2018 Kirkland Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, Sonoma Valley, California ($9.99 @ Costco, California – Item #223343)   Long term readers may have detected a slight bias we have in favor of Sonoma Valley vs. Napa Valley.  There is no disputing that both Valleys produce world class wines, but the sheer diversity that … Read moreA Nice $9.99 Sonoma/Alexander Valley Cabernet from Costco – Perfect for Food

Our First 3Peat – Our Most Popular Trader Joe’s Wine Ever

Front label of Maison Barboulot red wine from Trader Joe's

Fast facts: 2019 Maison Barboulot Cabernet-Syrah $5.49 (@Trader Joe’s; California)   Our featured wine from Trader Joe’s is a three-peat, updated to the 2019 vintage, and it’s every bit as good as we remember it’s predecessors to be. Seems like many of you liked this wine too – it has been our most popular review … Read moreOur First 3Peat – Our Most Popular Trader Joe’s Wine Ever