Think You Can’t Find High QPR Pinot Noir Under $10? Think again…

Bottle and glass of the 2021 Pinot Noir, Trader Joe's Reserve Lot #241, Santa Barbara County, California

Fast Facts: 2021 Pinot Noir, Trader Joe’s Reserve Lot #241, Santa Barbara County, California   ($9.99 @Trader Joe’s in California)   Pinot Noir has a problem. It’s being loved to death. Its precise rank varies by which list you consult, but it remains securely in the top 5 of all wine grapes, and second only to … Read moreThink You Can’t Find High QPR Pinot Noir Under $10? Think again…

This May Just Be the Best Pinot Noir for Under $10 in the United States

Front label of this 2021 Kirkland Signature Pinot Noir, Carneros, Napa Valley, California ($9.99 @ Costco, California – Item #505074)

Fast facts: 2021 Kirkland Signature Pinot Noir, Carneros, Napa Valley, California ($9.99 @ Costco, California – Item #505074)   Costco is nothing if not consistent when it comes to their schedule of releases.  We reviewed the prior vintage of this Carneros Pinot Noir at the same time last year.  Good news, the price has not … Read moreThis May Just Be the Best Pinot Noir for Under $10 in the United States

An $11.99 Russian River Pinot Noir – Costco for the Win!

The (new) front label of the 2021 Kirkland Signature Pinot Noir, from Russian River Valley, Sonoma County

2021 Kirkland Signature Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California ($11.99@Costco, California – Item #555512)   Yogi Berra was once quoted as saying that “It’s not boasting if it’s true.” And the truth is, the Russian River Valley is one of the best places in the world to grow Pinot Noir grapes.  Ditto Chardonnay. … Read moreAn $11.99 Russian River Pinot Noir – Costco for the Win!

Our First Wine Pick in our Countdown to TDay

Bottle and glass of the 2021 Valle de Inez Pinot Noir from Costco, with a sunflower!

Fast facts: 2021 Valle de Inez Pinot Noir, San Luis Obispo, CA ($9.99* @ Costco, California – Item #1374624) *Net price after $10 in store discount   It’s hard to believe, but we will be celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday here in the United States in three short weeks.  Then we’re on the slippery slope to … Read moreOur First Wine Pick in our Countdown to TDay

PinotRama Too

Store display of the 2020 Kirkland Signature Pinot Noir, Carneros, Napa Valley, California.

Fast facts: 2020 Kirkland Signature Pinot Noir, Carneros, Napa Valley, California ($9.99 @ Costco, California – Item #505074)   In last week’s post, titled Pinotrama! we reviewed a Trader Joe’s Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir.  And in said post, we promised a follow up with another $9.99 Pinot Noir – this time from Costco.  Here … Read morePinotRama Too

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!

From the Pinot Master

Bottle and glass of 2018 Boen Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, California

Fast facts: 2018 Boen Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, California ($17.99* @ Costco, California – Item #1641974) *Net price after $5.00 store discount   Let’s start with the name, BÖEN.  The owner/winemaker chose it because, in his words:  “BÖEN is a translation of ‘The Farm’ and I chose it as a reminder to … Read moreFrom the Pinot Master

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?

Finally, a Pair of Thanksgiving Red Wines – one each from TJs and Costco

Bottle and glass of 2020 Ocean View Pinot Noir, and 2019 Opolo Summit Creak Vineyard Zinfandel

Fast facts: 2020 Ocean View Pinot Noir, San Luis Obispo County, California ($14.99 @Trader Joe’s, California) 2019 Opolo Summit Creak Vineyard Zinfandel, Paso Robles, California ($12.99 @Costco, California)   We say “finally” in our subject line not to imply that we have been keeping you waiting for our red wine picks for the Thanksgiving holiday, … Read moreFinally, a Pair of Thanksgiving Red Wines – one each from TJs and Costco

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?!