Fire Up the BBQ and Pull the Cork on this TJ’s Red Wine

Bottle and glass of the 2021 Trader Joe's Reserve Meritage, Lot #239, Paso Robles, CA

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

90 Point Red for $10.99?!

Front label of the 2017 Quinta Do Portal, Riserva Red, Douro Valley, Portugal

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?!

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

Trader Joe’s is Your Puerta to High QPR

Front label of 2015 Puerta de Plata red blend wine from Trader Joe's

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

It’s Back, the High QPR KS CdP from Costco – with a Pope angle, no less!

Store display of the 2021 Kirkland Signature Chateauneuf-du-Pape ($19.69 @ Costco, California – Item #777662)

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!

Love at First Sniff – a 90+ Point TJs Red Wine Find for Under $20

Glass and bottle of 2019 Clos de los Siete Malbec, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina ($16.99 @Trader Joe’s in California)

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

Bingo! Wine Stalking Pays Off at TJ’s

Front label of the 2020 Les Sommets Liès Corbières, France - a mere $6.99 @Trader Joe’s

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

Is This the Best $11 Red Wine in America?

Bottle and glass of 2020 Kirkland Signature Red Blend, Napa Valley, CA

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?

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

The Secret’s Out About these Great Chilean Wines from Costco

Glass and bottle of 2018 Santa Rita Secret Reserve Red Blend

Fast facts: 2018 Santa Rita Secret Reserve Red Blend, Maipo Valley, Chile ($10.99 @ Costco, California – Item #623337)   While technically a new world blend, I would have pegged this red wine (a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Syrah, 15% Carignan and 10% Grenache) as an old world wine, possibly French if tasted … Read moreThe Secret’s Out About these Great Chilean Wines from Costco