merlot

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!

A Screaming Good Merlot Deal from Costco, Dissected

Bottle and glass of 2017 Chateau Ste. Michelle, Merlot, Columbia Valley, WA - $8.69 at Costco

Fast facts: 2017 Chateau Ste. Michelle, Merlot, Columbia Valley, WA ($8.69* @ Costco, California – Item #160933) *net price after $4.00 in store discount   Here is the news that those of us in the wine business woke to on July 12 of this year:  “Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, the largest winery in the Pacific … Read moreA Screaming Good Merlot Deal from Costco, Dissected

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

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

Craving Lighter Reds? Costco and Trader Joe’s Have you Covered

Henry Fessy Beaujolais 2016 in a bin at Costco

Fast Facts on this Week’s Featured Wines: 2016 Henry Fessy Chateau des Reysierres, Régnié, Beaujolais, France ($10.99 @Costco in California – Item #1411750) 2018 Trader Joe’s Reserve Merlot Lot 196, Oakville, Napa Valley, California  ($9.99 @Trader Joe’s in California)   Pack your bags, Costco is sending us to France! Beaujolais to be precise… Beaujolais, which … Read moreCraving Lighter Reds? Costco and Trader Joe’s Have you Covered

Crazy Good Merlot at a Crazy Costco Price!

2013 Kenwood Jack London Vineyard Merlot, Sonoma Mountain

Read to the end, and you will be rewarded with a picture of a really lovely dog. This wine however, is anything BUT a dog! Fast facts: 2013 Kenwood Jack London Vineyard Merlot, Sonoma Mountain $9.99 (@Costco; California) In the recent past, Merlot has faded in popularity among U.S. wine consumers. I have a theory … Read moreCrazy Good Merlot at a Crazy Costco Price!

Giving Merlot a GOOD name

2014 Franciscan Napa Valley Merlot

Fast facts: 2014 Franciscan Napa Valley Merlot $8.99 (@Costco; California) So often, plumbing the shelves, bins and pallets of mega wine retailers for extreme value wines yields brands/labels we’ve never heard of. This recent wine find from Costco is an exception… Speaking of exceptions, there were several clues that suggested that this bottle could be, … Read moreGiving Merlot a GOOD name

$5.99 Red Alert for Trader Joe’s Wine Shoppers

Jebediah Drinkwell's Meritage NV

Fast facts: Jebediah Drinkwell’s Meritage NV ($5.99 @Trader Joe’s,  California) I have to admit that I had pretty low expectations for this wine based solely on its price point of $5.99.  So it languished in my wine cellar for weeks. Maybe that was a good thing.  You see, when wine is jostled (during the processes … Read more$5.99 Red Alert for Trader Joe’s Wine Shoppers