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?
Fast Facts: 2019 Kirkland Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, Suscol Vineyard, Napa Valley, California ($16.99 @Costco in California – Item #1491800) The march of Kirkland Signature wines continues unabated. The flood gates have opened and we are not complaining. This is one of our favorites and we were delighted to see this just show up in … Read moreA Costco CabSauv that Checks All the Boxes – Well, Almost All
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
Fast facts: 2019 Kirkland Signature Red Blend, Napa Valley, CA ($10.99 @ Costco, California – Item #333110) Tasting Notes: Start with nice aromas of cherry, spice, vanilla, cola, black pepper and a hint of sandalwood. Smooth and silky in the mouth with flavors of black cherry, red berries, vanilla, and eucalyptus. which linger … Read moreOne of our Perennial Favorite Red Wines from Costco
Fast Facts: 2018 Carpe Diem Chardonnay, Anderson Valley, Sonoma, California ($15.99 @Costco in California – Item #980701) 2017 Bouchain Estate Chardonnay, Carneros, Napa Valley, California ($17.99* @Costco in California – Item #60020) *price after $10 in store discount, as show below! Two Chardonnays with similar price points, but slightly different styles meant we … Read moreAttention Chardonnay Lovers!
Fast facts: 2020 Trader Joe’s Diamond Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California ($19.99 @Trader Joe’s, California) Some of you may be familiar with unoaked Chardonnay bottlings. These are wines that are not fermented or aged in oak casks. Most Chardonnay is. The winemaker’s motivation is to let the resulting wine … Read moreJonesing for a Great Napa Cab? Look to Trader Joes’s
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
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!
Fast facts: 2019 Kirkland Signature Pinot Noir, Carneros, Napa Valley, California ($9.99 @ Costco, California – Item #505074) The back label of this bottle provides a pretty good introduction to this wine and the Carneros wine growing region as well: The Carneros AVA is the first wine region in California to be defined by … Read moreIs this Costco wine the Best $10 Pinot Noir in America?
Fast Facts: 2019 Kirkland Signature Sancerre, Loire Valley, France ($15.79 @Costco in California – Item #1476058) 2019 Fleur de Napa Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, CA ($6.99 @Trader Joe’s in California) Move over red-breasted robins, daffodils and crocuses. From here on out, the harbinger of Spring for lovers of Sauvignon Blanc may well be the … Read moreSpring Into Stocking Up on Great SauvBlanc – With Help from TJs and Costco