Red Alert – Exciting New Platinum Reserve Wine at TJs

Store display of the 2021 Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Saint-Emillion Grand Cru

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

Our WoW! A Trader Joe’s Triple Threat Delivers the Goods

Store display of 2021 Merlot, Trader Joe's Grand Reserve Lot #123

Fast Facts: 2021 Merlot, Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve Lot #123, Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara County, California  ($12.99 @Trader Joe’s in California)   I was really excited to get this wine home and try it. The reason was it had three things going against it. Conversely, this meant this was a wine that had promise … Read moreOur WoW! A Trader Joe’s Triple Threat Delivers the Goods

A KS Bordeaux that Doesn’t Know its Right (Bank) from its Left?

Store display of 2020 Kirkland Signature Saint-Julien

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?

93 Points of Bottled Tuscan Sun for under $10 at Costco

Costco store display of 2017 Petra Zingari Toscana

Fast facts: 2017 Zingari, Toscana, Italy ($9.99 @ Costco, California – Item #565343) If you’re looking for a great everyday food wine, this might just be the ticket.  After doing some research online, I am surprised that even Costco is selling this wine for a hair under $10.  It sells elsewhere for nearly twice that … Read more93 Points of Bottled Tuscan Sun for under $10 at Costco

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!

Good Luck Telling this Rabble to be Quiet

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

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

Great Mmmerlot for Just $50 per Gallon!

Store display for Trader Joe's Reserve 2020 Sonoma County Merlot

Fast facts: 2020 Trader Joe’s Reserve Merlot Lot #227, Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California ($9.99 @ Trader Joe’s, California)   We hope our subject line extrapolating the price per gallon (there are five standard 750ml bottles in a gallon FWIW) for this wine makes you feel better about the last time you filled up your … Read moreGreat Mmmerlot for Just $50 per Gallon!

A Screaming Good Merlot Deal from Costco, Dissected

Bottle and glass of 2017 Chateau Ste. Michelle, Merlot, Columbia Valley, WA - $8.69 at Costco

Fast facts: 2017 Chateau Ste. Michelle, Merlot, Columbia Valley, WA ($8.69* @ Costco, California – Item #160933) *net price after $4.00 in store discount   Here is the news that those of us in the wine business woke to on July 12 of this year:  “Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, the largest winery in the Pacific … Read moreA Screaming Good Merlot Deal from Costco, Dissected