Napa Valley

This Might Just be the Best Red Wine We’ve Reviewed All Year – and it’s just $16.99 at TJs!

Front label of 2020 Oakville Bench Merlot, Oakville, Napa Valley, California  ($16.99 @ Trader Joe’s, California)

Fast facts: 2020 Oakville Bench Merlot, Oakville, Napa Valley, California  ($16.99 @ Trader Joe’s, California)   Despite being somewhat out of fashion here in the U.S., the Merlot grape is still one of the most important grape varieties in the world of fine wine.  It shares this distinction with Cabernet Sauvignon which together “power” the … Read moreThis Might Just be the Best Red Wine We’ve Reviewed All Year – and it’s just $16.99 at TJs!

PinotRama Too

Store display of the 2020 Kirkland Signature Pinot Noir, Carneros, Napa Valley, California.

Fast facts: 2020 Kirkland Signature Pinot Noir, Carneros, Napa Valley, California ($9.99 @ Costco, California – Item #505074)   In last week’s post, titled Pinotrama! we reviewed a Trader Joe’s Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir.  And in said post, we promised a follow up with another $9.99 Pinot Noir – this time from Costco.  Here … Read morePinotRama Too

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

Yep, Red Wine with Fish

Bottle and glass of 2020 Trader Joe's Reserve Merlot Lot #236, Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley, California

Fast facts: 2020 Trader Joe’s Reserve Merlot Lot #236, Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley, California ($9.99 @ Trader Joe’s, California)   Even though we recently reviewed another $9.99 Merlot bottled under the Trader Joe’s Reserve moniker, that one was from Sonoma Valley.  This one hails from the other watershed of the Mayacamas Mountains, they one … Read moreYep, Red Wine with Fish

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

Attention Chardonnay Lovers!

Bottle and glass of 2017 Bouchaine Chardonnay and Carpe Diem Chadonnary

Fast Facts: 2018 Carpe Diem Chardonnay, Anderson Valley, Sonoma, California ($15.99 @Costco in California – Item #980701) 2017 Bouchain Estate Chardonnay, Carneros, Napa Valley, California ($17.99* @Costco in California – Item #60020) *price after $10 in store discount, as show below!     Two Chardonnays with similar price points, but slightly different styles meant we … Read moreAttention Chardonnay Lovers!

Making Mimosas without Champagne?

A holiday morning Mimosa kit, Mumm sparkling wine, a carafe of OJ and orange for a garnish.

Fast facts: NV Mumm Napa, Brut Rosé , Napa, California ($14.99 @ Costco, California – Item #438577)   Well, here we are.  Down to the final seven days of 2021. What a long, strange trip it’s been. Regardless, ’tis the season for celebration, hence the need to keep lots of bubbly on hand.  Whether it’s … Read moreMaking Mimosas without Champagne?

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

Say So Long to Summer with a Pair of SauvBlanc from Trader Joe’s

Bottles and glasses of Trader Joe's Reserve Napa 2020 Sauvignon Blanc (L) and Monique Cellars 2020 Sauvignon Blanc (R)

Fast facts: 2020 Monique Cellars, Central Coast, California ($6.99 @Trader Joe’s, California) 2020 Trader Joe’s Reserve Lot 224,  Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, California ($9.99 @Trader Joe’s,  California)   Ever study wine consumers picking out wines from a sea of labels?  I do, but after some 30 years in the wine business, I can’t help it.  … Read moreSay So Long to Summer with a Pair of SauvBlanc from Trader Joe’s

A Blockbuster Meritage from the Trader Joe’s Wine Lotto – You Can’t Win if you Don’t Play!

The front label of this 2018 Trader Joe's Platinum Reserve Meritage from the Rutherford AVA in the Napa Valley.

Fast facts: 2018 Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Meritage, Rutherford, Napa Valley, California ($14.99 @Trader Joe’s, California)   Readers that have been following us for a while have seen prior reviews of Meritage bottlings here before.  Frankly, it is rare to find a Meritage that disappoints.  I think it has something to do with the flexibility … Read moreA Blockbuster Meritage from the Trader Joe’s Wine Lotto – You Can’t Win if you Don’t Play!