2018

A Trio of Tasty Trader Joe’s Wines for Your Labor Day Soiree

A trio of tastiness from Trader Joe's, just in time for your Labor Day celebrations.

Fast facts: 2020 Trader Joe’s Petit Reserve  Rosé ($6.99 @Trader Joe’s,  California) 2020 Trader Joe’s Reserve Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California ($9.99 @Trader Joe’s, California) 2018  Trader Joe’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley, Washington ($9.99 @Trader Joe’s,  California)   There’s a scene in the movie The Jerk, starring Steve Martin as..well, … Read moreA Trio of Tasty Trader Joe’s Wines for Your Labor Day Soiree

A Nice $9.99 Sonoma/Alexander Valley Cabernet from Costco – Perfect for Food

Bottle and glass of Kirkland Signature 2018 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

Fast facts: 2018 Kirkland Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, Sonoma Valley, California ($9.99 @ Costco, California – Item #223343)   Long term readers may have detected a slight bias we have in favor of Sonoma Valley vs. Napa Valley.  There is no disputing that both Valleys produce world class wines, but the sheer diversity that … Read moreA Nice $9.99 Sonoma/Alexander Valley Cabernet from Costco – Perfect for Food

A Blockbuster Meritage from the Trader Joe’s Wine Lotto – You Can’t Win if you Don’t Play!

The front label of this 2018 Trader Joe's Platinum Reserve Meritage from the Rutherford AVA in the Napa Valley.

Fast facts: 2018 Trader Joe’s Platinum Reserve Meritage, Rutherford, Napa Valley, California ($14.99 @Trader Joe’s, California)   Readers that have been following us for a while have seen prior reviews of Meritage bottlings here before.  Frankly, it is rare to find a Meritage that disappoints.  I think it has something to do with the flexibility … Read moreA Blockbuster Meritage from the Trader Joe’s Wine Lotto – You Can’t Win if you Don’t Play!

Dualing Red Blends from Costco – Both Under $10 if You Act Fast

Bottles and glasses of 2018 Simi Winery red wine blend and Hook or Crook Cellars 2018 red field blend from Costco.

Fast Facts: 2018 Simi Winery, Red Wine Blend, Sonoma County, California ($9.99* @Costco in California – Item #1487627) 2018 Hook or Crook Cellars, Field Blend, Lodi, California ($5.79* @Costco in California – Item #1529759)   We love the in-store discounts that Costco is known for.  Here are two wines that would be good values before … Read moreDualing Red Blends from Costco – Both Under $10 if You Act Fast

A Yummy 90-point Wine Surprise from Costco

Bottle and glass of Zaca Mesa 2018 Viognier from Costco.

Fast facts: 2018 Zaca Mesa Viognier, Santa Ynez Valley, California ($12.99 @ Costco, California – Item #27950)   Being less than an hour away, Santa Barbara County (which includes the Santa Ynez Valley AVA) is our “local” wine region. So we were pretty excited to find this 90 point (Galloni and Wine Enthusiast) 2018 Zaca … Read moreA Yummy 90-point Wine Surprise from Costco

A Summer Weight Spanish Garnacha from Trader Joe’s

Trader Joe's shelf display of Las Margas 2018 Garnacha

Fast facts: 2018 Las Margas Garnacha, Cariñena, Spain ($12.99 @Trader Joe’s,  California)   Garnacha is the Spanish (and therefore original) name for the grape known in France and elsewhere (like California) as Grenache. There was a time when it was the dominant grape in Spain. Now, despite ripping up almost half of its Garnacha vineyards, … Read moreA Summer Weight Spanish Garnacha from Trader Joe’s

Chalk Hill Sonoma Mmmerlot from Trader Joes

Front label of bottle of 2018 Trader Joe's Reserve Chalk Hill Sonoma County Merlot

Fast facts: 2018 Trader Joe’s Reserve Merlot Lot 213, Chalk Hill, Sonoma County, California ($9.99 @Trader Joe’s,  California) I love a well put-together Merlot, and this one from Trader Joe’s fits the bill. It’s a lot of wine for under $10, making it a good daily drinker. France (including the famed wines of the “right … Read moreChalk Hill Sonoma Mmmerlot from Trader Joes

Bargain Wines for your Thanksgiving Table – from Trader Joe’s

Bottle of 2019 Petiole Pinot Noir and 2018 Riddle Chardonnay from Trader Joe's

Fast facts: 2018 Petiole Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon ($8.99 @Trader Joe’s,  California) 2019 Riddle Chardonnay, Edna Valley, California ($5.99 @Trader Joe’s, California)   When you ask people for their favorite wine pairing for the traditional Thanksgiving meal, two wines seem to top the list:  Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.   The former almost falls into … Read moreBargain Wines for your Thanksgiving Table – from Trader Joe’s

Get Your Pinot Fix for $7.99 at Trader Joe’s

Bottle and glass of 2018 Loudenotte Pinot Noir from Trader Joe's

Fast facts: 2018 Loudenotte Pinot Noir, Pays D’Oc, France ($7.99 @Trader Joe’s,  California)   Tasting Notes: The wine pours a nice dark, red – a tad darker then I expected for a French Pinot Noir. The nose is morello cherry, spice, herbs, plum, and anise. Some would call this melange Garrique, more on that later. … Read moreGet Your Pinot Fix for $7.99 at Trader Joe’s

Two Ten Buck Chucks – A Lot of Flavor for $9.99

Bottles and glasses of Trader Joe's Reserve 2018 Merlot Lot #202 (left) and 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Lot #179

Fast facts: 2018 Trader Joe’s Reserve Merlot Lot #179, Napa Valley, California ($9.99 @Trader Joe’s,  California) 2018 Trader Joe’s Reserve  Cabernet Sauvignon Lot #202, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California ($9.99 @Trader Joe’s, California)   We’ve tried many of wines from the Trader’s Joe’s Reserve line up, and these may be two of the best we … Read moreTwo Ten Buck Chucks – A Lot of Flavor for $9.99