Fast facts: 2021 Upper Eden Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands, California ($12.99 @ Trader Joe’s, California) It’s hard to believe it’s been four years since we recommended the 2018 vintage of this wine for your Thanksgiving table. When we spied it again this year at Trader Joe’s in the run-up to Turkey Day, we … Read moreOne Last TJs Wine Pick for your Thanksgiving Table
Fast Facts: 2022 Cabernet Franc, Trader Joe’s Petit Reserve, Paso Robles, California ($7.99 @Trader Joe’s in California) …and let’s be frank: you just don’t see many bottlings of straight up Cabernet Franc – unless you are standing in a Winery Tasting Room. Cab Sauv? Sure. Cab Franc. Not so much… So that is what … Read moreTrader Joe’s Sez: “Let’s Be Franc”
Fast facts: 2021 Trader Joe’s Reserve Meritage, Lot #239, Paso Robles, CA ($9.99 @ Trader Joe’s, California) So this red caught my eye at Trader Joe’s recently. There were two things that first attracted me to this wine: the magical word Meritage (rhymes with “heritage” but is also pronounced “mehr-it-taj”) which promises good things … Read moreFire Up the BBQ and Pull the Cork on this TJ’s Red Wine
Fast facts: 2021 Trader Joe’s Reserve Lot #236 Syrah, Santa Barbara, California ($9.99 @Trader Joe’s, California) Here in Southern California, enthusiastic wine drinkers know Santa Barbara County quite well as it is in our backyard. We are familiar with the fact that it is a richly diverse wine region capable of producing world class … Read moreA Good Place to Start Getting to Know the Wines of Santa Barbara
Fast facts: 2021 Valle de Inez Pinot Noir, San Luis Obispo, CA ($9.99* @ Costco, California – Item #1374624) *Net price after $10 in store discount It’s hard to believe, but we will be celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday here in the United States in three short weeks. Then we’re on the slippery slope to … Read moreOur First Wine Pick in our Countdown to TDay
Fast facts: 2019 Rabble Red Wine, Paso Robles, CA ($9.89* @Costco; California – Item # 922592) *price after $3 discount. Here is one we have reviewed before. It is the closest thing to a perennial feature in the Costco wine selection that you will find. But it is difficult to argue that it doesn’t deserve … Read moreGood Luck Telling this Rabble to be Quiet
Fast facts: 2020 Trader Joe’s Reserve Pinot Noir Lot #229, Santa Rita Hills, Santa Barbara County, California ($9.99 @ Trader Joe’s, California) When not obsessing on finding crazy good wine values to feature here, I am doing deep dives into the music of rock and power pop. If you are similarly afflicted, you may … Read morePinotrama!
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
Fast facts: 2020 Trader Joe’s Reserve Chalone Pinot Noir, California ($9.99 @ Trader Joe’s, California) Astute readers may recall that once before (July of 2021 to be precise) we annointed a different wine as the best $10 Pinot Noir in America. But you may recall that one was from Costco. Nonetheless, this one may … Read moreIs this the Best $10 Pinot Noir in America?
Fast facts: 2020 Ocean View Pinot Noir, San Luis Obispo County, California ($14.99 @Trader Joe’s, California) 2019 Opolo Summit Creak Vineyard Zinfandel, Paso Robles, California ($12.99 @Costco, California) We say “finally” in our subject line not to imply that we have been keeping you waiting for our red wine picks for the Thanksgiving holiday, … Read moreFinally, a Pair of Thanksgiving Red Wines – one each from TJs and Costco