wine reviews

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!

GSM-G= This Tasty 90 Point Wine from Costco!

Costco store display for the 2018 Gerard Bertrand Saint Chinian Heritage An 1877, 90 Parker Points for just $9.99

Fast facts: 2018 Gerard Bertrand Saint Chinian Heritage An 1877, Languedoc, France ($9.99 @ Costco, California – Item #661141) We have highlighted a number of Grenache, Syrah Mourvedre (GSM) blends here on these pages.  This particular bottling is just missing Grenache in the cuvee.  But it is no less delcious. To paraphrase George Orwell’s book … Read moreGSM-G= This Tasty 90 Point Wine from Costco!

Your House Wine for Pizza and Pasta Nights

Front label of 2014 Poggio al Casone, Toscana, Italy - $9.99 at Trader Joe's

Fast Facts: 2014 Poggio al Casone, Toscana, Italy ($9.99 @Trader Joe’s in California)   Frankly, every time I take a first sip of this wine I exclaim (often to myself): “I don’t know how they do it!” For starters, this brand is always well-aged. In this case 8 (!) years. That rarely comes cheap.  And … Read moreYour House Wine for Pizza and Pasta Nights

A Big “Staff Favorite” Comes Around Again at Costco

Front label of 2021 Dr. Loosen Blue Slate Riesling Kabinett, Mosel, Germany from Costco

Fast facts: 2021 Dr. Loosen Blue Slate Riesling Kabinett, Mosel, Germany ($14.99 @ Costco, California – Item #249109) Since it was first reviewed almost exactly a year ago, this wine was one of those we kept going back to and restocking our wine fridge with. You know why?  Well, it is delicious for starters.  But … Read moreA Big “Staff Favorite” Comes Around Again at Costco

A $7.99 Mouthful of Red Wine Goodness – Perfect for Late Summer Grilling!

Bottle and glass of the 2019 Casa Ermelinda Freitas Vinhas da Fonte Peninsula de Setubal from Portugal

Fast facts: 2019 Casa Ermelinda Freitas Vinhas da Fonte Reserva, Peninsula de Setúbal, Portugal  ($7.99 @ Trader Joe’s, California)   Anyone who has spent much time in the European Union in the past several decades can appreciate the vastly improved infrastructure of member countries. But beyond the the more conspicuous investment in bridges, tunnels and … Read moreA $7.99 Mouthful of Red Wine Goodness – Perfect for Late Summer Grilling!

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

A Great PNW Cab from Costco – K?

Glass and bottle of 2020 Kirkland Signature K Vine Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley, Washington

Fast Facts: 2020 Kirkland Signature K Vine Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley, Washington ($13.99 @Costco, California – Item #1462908)   You’d be forgiven for thinking that virtually all of the wine produced in the United States is produced in California. Because 86% of it is. In distant second and third places are Washington state … Read moreA Great PNW Cab from Costco – K?

A Cool Trader Joe’s “Porch Pounder” with a Tiny Price

Trader Joe's store display of Espiral Vinho Verde

Fast facts: Espiral Vinho Verde, Minho, Portugal  ($4.49@Trader Joe’s,  California)     “Porch pounder” is a term used in the wine trade to refer to a wine that is easy drinking, relatively inexpensive, and simple.  I don’t mean “simple” as a derogatory term, but rather a wine that does not inspire deep thought, reflection and … Read moreA Cool Trader Joe’s “Porch Pounder” with a Tiny Price

The Latest in our BBQ Wines Series

Front label of 2017 Trader Joe's Grand Reserve Shiraz, Lot #109, Barossa, Australia

Fast facts: 2017 Trader Joe’s Grand Reserve Shiraz, Lot 109, Barossa, Australia ($12.99 @Trader Joe’s,  California)   This is a wine that implores you to “throw another STEAK on the “bar-bee” to paraphrase the “critically-acclaimed” film Crocodile Dundee… Australia’s most popular grape varietal, Shiraz is full-bodied with high alcohol (although this bottling clocks in at … Read moreThe Latest in our BBQ Wines Series

Our Lucky 13 Most Recent Reviews of Costco Wines

Photo of front of a Costco store

  Going shopping for wine at your local Costco?  Well take along this list of the 13 most recent posts that included wines from Costco. In this “case” think of it as your lucky 13! Click on any of the links below for item numbers, tasting notes – and more!     2020 Kirkland Signature … Read moreOur Lucky 13 Most Recent Reviews of Costco Wines