Fast facts: 2021 Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Saint-Emillion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France ($16.99 @Trader Joe’s, California) When I meet new people and they learn that I spent three decades – and counting! – in the wine business, they often ask me what my favorite wine is. I quickly qualify the question with: “white wine … Read moreRed Alert – Exciting New Platinum Reserve Wine at TJs
Fast Facts: 2018 Château Bouscassé, Madiran, France ($14.99 @ Costco, California – Item #1053420) With the exception of their ubiquitous Kirkland Signature Wines, the “wine sets” at Costco stores throughout the U.S. tend to differ based upon the region they are in. One of the more noticeable differences is that here on the west … Read moreA Big Brooding 95 Point Red to Satisfy Cab Lovers
Fast Facts: 2020 Kirkland Signature Saint-Julien, Bordeaux, France ($17.99 @Costco in California – Item #1494198) We were excited to find this new (to us) Bordeaux wine under the Kirkland Signature label last week at our local Costco. I was eager to get it home, rest it and – taste it. Not only because it … Read moreA KS Bordeaux that Doesn’t Know its Right (Bank) from its Left?
Fast Facts: 2022 Lucien Raimbault Pineau Exception, Sancerre, France ($16.99 @Costco in California – Item #1749206) I’m feeling a bit like the forlorn Jack in a Box on the Island of Misfit Toys as it wails: “we might as well go to bed” when it believes that Santa isn’t coming for them. But then … Read moreCostco’s Substitute Sancerre is a Nice Surprise
Fast facts: 2022 Amuse Bouche, Pétillant Naturel, Sparkling White Wine, France ($11.99 @ Trader Joe’s, California) Sometimes it seems like there is very little new in the wine market. Then something like this comes along. But it’s actually not very new, after all. Read on… Let’s assume you have never even heard of a Pét-nat … Read morePet Nat Wines are Having a Moment – Wait, What?
Fast Facts: 2022 Kirkland Signature Côtes de Provence Rosé, Provence, France ($7.99 @Costco in California – Item #1133993) Another nice price discount from Costco – the 2019 vintage of this wine was $9.99. A 20% reduction in price, in an era of inflation, is as refreshing as this wine is. But don’t wait if … Read morePour. Sip. Repeat. A Refreshing High QPR Rosé from Costco
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
Fast facts: 2021 Vignobles Lacheteau Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine, Loire Valley, France ($7.99 @ Trader Joe’s, California) European wine producers have a long standing tradition of using labels that are, in a word, confusing. At least to the average wine consumer. This is such a label. But we are here with some “French Lessons” to help … Read moreFrench Lessons from Trader Joe’s
Fast facts: 2021 Sainte Celine Chablis, Burgundy, France ($15.99 @Trader Joe’s, California) Many American wine drinkers first became familar with the name Chablis back when California winemakers were running amok bottling cheap jug wines with the Chablis name on the label. Which is unfortunate. Because it confused generations in the process. Maybe that … Read more$15 Chablis?! Thank Trader Joe’s
Fast facts: 2021 Kirkland Signature Chateauneuf-du-Pape ($19.69 @ Costco, California – Item #777662) Among the “old world” offerings bottled under the Kirkland Signature name, this CdP is one of our perennial favorites. It has been around for over a decade, and is consistently good. It is a rare thing to find CdP wines for … Read moreIt’s Back, the High QPR KS CdP from Costco – with a Pope angle, no less!