Our Lucky 13 Most Recent Reviews of Wines from Trader Joe’s – Updated!

Front of a Trader Joe's store.

  Going shopping for wine at your local Trader Joe’s?  Well take along this list of the 13 most recent posts that included wines from TJ’s. In this “case” think of it as your lucky 13! All prices shown are based on those in California.  Click on any of the links below for tasting notes … Read moreOur Lucky 13 Most Recent Reviews of Wines from Trader Joe’s – Updated!

A Good Place to Start Getting to Know the Wines of Santa Barbara

Bottle and glass - al fresco - of 2021 Trader Joe's Reserve Lot #236 Syrah, Santa Barbara, California $9.99

Fast facts: 2021 Trader Joe’s Reserve Lot #236 Syrah, Santa Barbara, California ($9.99 @Trader Joe’s,  California)   Here in Southern California, enthusiastic wine drinkers know Santa Barbara County quite well as it is in our backyard. We are familiar with the fact that it is a richly diverse wine region capable of producing world class … Read moreA Good Place to Start Getting to Know the Wines of Santa Barbara

A Crazy Good Chard, from a Crazy Good Place, at a Crazy Good TJ’s Price

Bottle and glass of 2020 Trader Joe's Reserve Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands, California

Fast facts: 2020 Trader Joe’s Reserve Chardonnay, Lot #231, Santa Lucia Highlands, California  ($9.99 @ Trader Joe’s, California)   Don’t look now but we are on a slippery slope towards Labor Day, the unofficial end of summer.  Nooooooo!!!! Heck, Costco is already putting out Christmas decorations.  But we will talk about Costco in future posts.  … Read moreA Crazy Good Chard, from a Crazy Good Place, at a Crazy Good TJ’s Price

Got ‘cue? Then get your hands on this Zin!

Store display of 2020 Trader Joe's Reserve Zinfandel, Lot #233, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County

Fast facts: 2020 Trader Joe’s Reserve Zinfandel, Lot #233, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County ($9.99 @Trader Joe’s,  California)   Just in time for barbecue season and the first days of summer.  There are few red wine varietals that are as good a match for grilled food as Zinfandel is. It was born for the role! … Read moreGot ‘cue? Then get your hands on this Zin!

Pinotrama!

Store display of 2020 Trader Joe's Reserve Pinot Noir Lot #229, Santa Rita Hills

Fast facts: 2020 Trader Joe’s Reserve Pinot Noir Lot #229, Santa Rita Hills, Santa Barbara County, California ($9.99 @ Trader Joe’s, California)   When not obsessing on finding crazy good wine values to feature here, I am doing deep dives into the music of rock and power pop.  If you are similarly afflicted, you may … Read morePinotrama!

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!

Is this the Best $10 Pinot Noir in America?

Bottle and glass of Trader Joe's Reserve 2020 Chalone Pinot Noir

Fast facts: 2020 Trader Joe’s Reserve Chalone Pinot Noir, California ($9.99 @ Trader Joe’s, California)   Astute readers may recall that once before (July of 2021 to be precise) we annointed a different wine as the best $10 Pinot Noir in America. But you may recall that one was from Costco.  Nonetheless, this one may … Read moreIs this the Best $10 Pinot Noir in America?

World Class Pinot Noir Under $15?!

Glass and bottle of 2020 Trader Joe's Grand Reserve Pinot Noir Lot #106, Santa Rita Hills, California - $12.99 in California stores. Oh, and a baby sugar pumpkin that could be a pumpkin tart in a few short weeks!

Fast facts: 2020 Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve Pinot Noir Lot #106, Santa Rita Hills, California ($12.99 @Trader Joe’s, California)     This wine was recently featured in Trader Joe’s infamous in-store rag, The Fearless Flyer.  Here’s what they had to say about this wine: “Located in the Santa Ynez Valley near Santa Barbara, CA, surrounded … Read moreWorld Class Pinot Noir Under $15?!

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