“Red blend” is a label designation for a red wine that contains more than one grape variety in the final blend. These wines can be made following well-loved traditional formulas, such as the Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, but this category contains a wide range of combinations.
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: 2020 Kirkland Signature Toscana IGT, Italy ($13.99 @Costco; California – Product #1181768) Tuscany is arguably the most important region in central Italy, where it is known as Toscana. Our reviews of this “Super Tuscan” wine date back to the 2016 vintage. Somewhat incredibly, it was $13.99 then too. Although the price … Read moreSuper Tasty, Super High QPR from this Super Tuscan
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: 2017 Quinta Do Portal, Riserva Red, Douro Valley, Portugal ($10.99 @ Costco, California – Item #670474) We are recently back from a tasting trip to Portugal, so finding this wine at Costco was a real treat. One sip and we were transported eight time zones back to our tastings in Alentejo. Even … Read more90 Point Red for $10.99?!
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
Fast facts: 2015 Puerta de Plata, Catalunya, Spain ($7.99 @Trader Joe’s, California) If memory serves, this was one of the first wines we reviewed on this blog. I recall hyperventilating when I first tasted it, especially given its $7.99 price point and uber classy packaging. It’s a bit of a Trader Joe’s staple, so … Read moreTrader Joe’s is Your Puerta to High QPR
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!
Fast Facts: 2019 Clos de los Siete Red Blend, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina ($16.99 @Trader Joe’s in California) Michel Rolland is arguably one of the 10 most influential individuals in the modern wine era. His style dominated the world for decades and continues to influence how the most costly wines are made. Namely, … Read moreLove at First Sniff – a 90+ Point TJs Red Wine Find for Under $20
Fast facts: 2020 Les Sommets Liès Corbières, France ($6.99 @Trader Joe’s, California) During a recent visit to my local Trader Joe’s, I overheard an employee enthusiastically recommending this wine. She was telling a customer that it was “everyone’s favorite” among store employees. Needless to say, my curiosity was piqued. So when she was free … Read moreBingo! Wine Stalking Pays Off at TJ’s
Fast facts: 2020 Kirkland Signature Red Blend, Napa Valley, CA ($10.99 @ Costco, California – Item #333110) Ever heard of a “brand refresh?” It’s a term I heard regularly in my three decades – and counting – in the wine trade. It basically refers to a “facelift” when an existing wine brand gets a … Read moreIs This the Best $11 Red Wine in America?