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!

Is this Costco wine the Best $10 Pinot Noir in America?

Bottle and glass of Kirkland Signature 2019 Carneros Pinot Noir from Costco.

Fast facts: 2019 Kirkland Signature Pinot Noir, Carneros, Napa Valley, California ($9.99 @ Costco, California – Item #505074)   The back label of this bottle provides a pretty good introduction to this wine and the Carneros wine growing region as well: The Carneros AVA is the first wine region in California to be defined by … Read moreIs this Costco wine the Best $10 Pinot Noir in America?

A Pair of Special Cabs from Costco

Bottles and glasses of Bound and Kirkland Signature 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon. The former from Sonoma, the latter from Napa Valley.

Fast Facts: 2018 Kirkland Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, Suscol Vineyard, Napa Valley, California ($16.99 @Costco in California – Item #1491800) 2018 Bound, Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California ($9.99* @Costco in California – Item #1422019) *net price after $6 discount   The Mayacamas mountain range in Northern California separates two of the most famous wine regions in … Read moreA Pair of Special Cabs from Costco

Spring Into Stocking Up on Great SauvBlanc – With Help from TJs and Costco

Bottles and glasses of Kirkland Signature 2019 Sancerre (left) from Costco and Fleur de Napa 2019 Sauvignon Blanc from Trader Joe's

Fast Facts: 2019 Kirkland Signature Sancerre, Loire Valley, France ($15.79 @Costco in California – Item #1476058) 2019 Fleur de Napa Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, CA ($6.99 @Trader Joe’s in California)   Move over red-breasted robins, daffodils and crocuses.  From here on out, the harbinger of Spring for lovers of Sauvignon Blanc may well be the … Read moreSpring Into Stocking Up on Great SauvBlanc – With Help from TJs and Costco

Two Premium Kirkland Signature Wines to Quietly Toast the New Year

Costco bin of Kirkland Signature Premier Cru Chablis 2018

Fast facts: 2018 Kirkland Signature Premier Cru Chablis, Burgundy, France $19.99 (@Costco, California, Item# 1043144) 2018 Kirkland Signature Series Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford, Napa, California $18.99 (@Costco, California, Item# 1265184)   Happy New Year friends! In the strangest of years, we have made it to the doorstep of 2021. That which doesn’t kill you makes you … Read moreTwo Premium Kirkland Signature Wines to Quietly Toast the New Year

Two Ten Buck Chucks – A Lot of Flavor for $9.99

Bottles and glasses of Trader Joe's Reserve 2018 Merlot Lot #202 (left) and 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Lot #179

Fast facts: 2018 Trader Joe’s Reserve Merlot Lot #179, Napa Valley, California ($9.99 @Trader Joe’s,  California) 2018 Trader Joe’s Reserve  Cabernet Sauvignon Lot #202, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California ($9.99 @Trader Joe’s, California)   We’ve tried many of wines from the Trader’s Joe’s Reserve line up, and these may be two of the best we … Read moreTwo Ten Buck Chucks – A Lot of Flavor for $9.99