Light golden hue with robust aromas of staunch, grapefruit, lemon and a slight grassiness on the edge.
Palate--Big first impression of grapefruit and citrus, with a grassy finish.
@$9 Wine Enthusiast gives it a 90 point rating which is way too high in my estimation. While I like the robustness of the structure, it is out of balance, way out of balance to the point of obnoxiousness. Pass on this!
Palate--on opening there was a lovely sparkle but quickly faded but a surprise none-the-less. Mouth filling goodness, with a lovely structured and crafted foundation belying the $12 price point of this very nice Chardonnay though I see it for as high as $20.
This was really VERY nice for the price and I could drink this all night. I am pairing it with my french onion and bacon tart (pizza) and it will be fantastic. Definitely Raise a glass!
Ruby hue with lovely red berry fruit and some spice...
Palate--Vibrant structured first impression, with nice acidity balanced against the robust foundation of lively tart cranberry, juicy red cherry/berries and fleeting finish.
Pairing this with an interesting experiment of Chicken with a tomato based paprika sauce and sour cream over noodles. Garnacha (Grenache in other countries) is a fruity, middle to lighter body with easy to drink structure. Previously reviewed a $7 Trader Joe's pick and a value at that. Raise a glass!
BTW--the paring was perfect!
Palate--First impression is hugely disappointing with a flacid structure that almost makes me not want to keep it in my mouth. Flavors of unbalanced lemon, bitter mid-palate, and a fleeting finish--which is pretty much a blessing...
Okay then -- I saw this at one of my fave liquor stores and it was on closeout for $8.99. I did a double take seeing it was a NAPA Chard which just didn't make sense. The tag said regular price was $17.99. (Normal decent NAPA chard will run you 2-3 times that...) Since I live 75 miles away I thought do I buy a case (Napa Chard would be a steal at such a price) But instead I bought only 2 bottles since I had never heard of this producer. Boy am I glad I did. Even at $8.99 this is a PASS. No, it is not flawed, it is just poorly made wine.
Deep garnet/purple hue with aromas of coffee, spiced apple rings with cocoa and dark berries.
Palate--Steely, with juicy foundation, straightforward spiced fruit, with adequate tannins for a few good years of again.
At the $12 price point this is a decent value wine well made and will improve over the next couple years. I will have it tonight with charcoal grilled venison burgers. Raise a glass!
Pretty ruby hue with aromas of nice ripe blackberry in the bowel with some hints of blueberry pie and gentle sweet/savory spice.
Palate- For such a young wine it is balanced and always reliable with Zin profile of rich blackberry with a touch of sweet savory spices. (Compare here with previous reviews of the same wine.)
One of my "go to" Zins because of the above and the value price point of $10 or less when on sale. Sunday night Chicago style deep dish pizza is our routine (flown in from Chicago) and this is perfect. Raise a glass!
Dark garnet hue with aromas of very nice blackberry and black cherry fruit and the slightest touch of pie crust.
Palate--Integrated first impression with a nicely textured structure giving a thickish mouth feel. Silky tannins and while the finish is quick it is decent if a little chewy.
From one of the better known Zin regions of California the Lodi has emerged as a contender for value Zins of which I find myself drinking more than any other varietal. Sonoma is still my prefered Zin AVA but alas they have gone above my preferred price point. This Zin I found for $14 but in the last couple years it has escalated from the $12 mark to closer to $20 which to me is overpriced. At $14 it is a decent Zin so raise a glass!
Pale straw hue with aromas of sweet summer fruit with a lightly spiced in the middle, scented baby powder and more fruit.
Palate--Nicely balanced with acidity and off dry mid palate. Lots of flavors going on here (see previous review) but finishing quickly.
I reviewed this back in January and as I am want to do, I like re-reviewing wines I have had before checking for consistency. This just as nice as I thought it was the first time around.
I paid $9 for this Pinot and I will pair it with homemade fish chowder and it will be prefect. Raise a glass!
Palate--*Watery texture, with a slightly off putting first impression but flavors are "ok" without any wowing factors.
I paid $9 for the Trader Joe's offering and it's "meah!" I won't be buying it again.
*Actually after breathing this improved markedly and I would indeed buy it again. Raise a glass!
Deep garnet hue with aromas of blackberry, (butterscotch) red fruit, sweet red berries above the rim.
Palate--Stately first impression, mature structure with balanced integration of all things with big rich dark berry flavors galore, with a finish that lingers.
This previously reviewed nice Zin, is worthy of many purchases and at $9 (Trader Joe's) it is a great value.
I am pairing it with one of our favorite dinners--Maine venison chili--and we already know from many iterations of this that it goes GREAT so raise a glass!
*Lodi-- is one of California's many "AVA's" (American Viticultural Areas) which must meet certain standards to be able to put that on the label. At $9 it is a go-to for my favorite dishes! Raise a glass!
Purple hue with aromas of tightly wound fruit, cherry cream bon bons, cranberry, and finessed savory spice.
Palate--Impressive stately first impression, with luxuriant texture and balanced structure for such a young wine. Fruit still very tightly wound and needs time to open up and more time in bottle to arrive at what I think is a berak out waiting to happen.
At $8 (a Trader Joe's bargain) this is the kind of wine you grab a half case at least and lay 4 away for maturing, and enjoy the other two now. Raise a glass!
Previously reviewed this lovely French delight is a pale straw hue with aromas of ripe pineapple, stone fruit, perfumey baby powder and a kiss of citrus.
Palate--Off-dry, sweet front with loads of solid acidity to carry the sweet foundation with a fleeting but definite finish of summer fruit.
Vouvray is made with Chenin Blanc and is one of my fave white wine varietals. A Trader Joe's offering at $7-$8 and it would be a bargain at $15 and it is a definite Raise a glass!
Light garnet hue with aromas of strawberry sweet spice,
Palate--Watery first impression, light bodied, flavors of strawberry juice and gentle spices with sweet nuances. Finishes quickly leaving only a fleeting taste of strawberry.
This $10 French Pinot is not spectacular nor should it be at this price point. It's "meah" so you decide...
Ruby hue with rustic cherry and forest floor, boysenberry and sweet black cherry.
Palate--Unremarkable first impression, with astringent fruit, dried berries, quickly finishing.
$9 Trader Joe's offering and not great but ok with pizza and pasta with heavy tomato base.
Ruby/Garnet hue with aromas of tart red berry and cranberry fruit and deep brooding dark berry waiting to burst out with full fury. Black tea, and dried leaves follow.
Palate--A so-so first impression with lots of acidity, bold berry front with a very assertive structure. There's alot going on here and it needs some time to breathe and open up.
My first impression is a lot better than expected. This may very well be my first wine from Bulgaria! I have to give "kudos" to this obscure (to me) wine region which I never knew existed. I paired it with a charcoal grilled chuck eye steak and it was excellent!
I Paid $11 for this experience and I am glad I tried it. Raise a glass.
Youthful purple hue with aromas of light Pinot notes of strawberry and gentle spice.
Palate--Pleasant first impression with some nice acidity, balanced papate, with fruity strawberry and a better than expected structure and overall flavor profile! Finishes abruptly.
This $7 Pinot from California fruit is not great but then again it is a $7 dollar Trader Joe's offering which gives you a lot for the money. Chill it a bit and enjoy it by itself. For this price, I am raising a glass!
Decent dark cranberry jelly hue with aromas of dark ripe blackberries, nuances of evergreen at the rim, savory spice
Palate--Nice cherry berry first impression with solid structure, angular due to its youth, but thickish texture. Needs to breathe as there's a lot there.
This Washington state Cab is robust, young, but with time should hold its ground. At $12 it is a value wine as I would expect from Columbia Crest wines. I'll update this review if it opens up... Raise a glass!
Palate--First impression is acidic and disappointing mouth feel, with bitter mid palate, dark berry fruit and a touch off putting.
This Trader Joe's offering at $10 was quite disappointing so we'll see how it does with our Sunday night pizza ritual. It is very young and having had wines from Tilia, this seems out of sorts so it may just need another year.
It was "OK" with our pizza but I won't be returning to this wine.
Light golden hue with very nice bouquet of ripe pear, vanilla, melon and the slightest touch of grass.
Palate--Bright pear first impression with hints of summer fruit on a lovely acidic base, and a finish of a (nice) kind of biter mid palate.
At $7 this is another ridiculous TJ's value selection. It is vastly different than our domestic S. Blancs lacking the intense "grassiness" that many of our west coast wines display but that is what makes wine so fascinating. This is a no brainer so "raise a glass!
Black cherry aromas on a ruby hue.
Palate--Watery with black cherry, and spice. Not much else to say.
$7 at trader Joes it worked well believe it or not with my homemade pasta with parmesan, and caraway.
If you're on a budget and you need wine this can get you by but better to raise a different glass.
Ruby hue with aromas of predominant black cherry, spice, hint of wood.
Palate--Flaccid first impression, with fatigued structure and exhausted finish. Palate is weak and while not showing the classic signs of "aging" this is definitely on its way out.
This is a Trader Joe's wine that has sold for as much as $35 but they are dumping it for $8. Probably precisely because it is meeting a quick demise. Below I have posted the same wine reviewed 2 years ago so you can see the effect of aging on this particular wine.
Same wine two years ago!
Quite a nice intense hue with aromas of dark plum, blackberry with a bouquet of gently spiced fruit and oak.
Palate--*a minerally first impression, with awkward mid palate, confused fruit and structure tightly wound and not very pleasant.
(This wine was just opened and needs to breathe. There seems to be potential here but out of the gate it is not impressive. I expect this to change.)
*After some "air time" and having with my dinner it is indeed a much better wine. And while I have written before regarding "food wines" versus "quaffing wines" (wines being drunk by themselves) it bears repeating. There are structural differences between the two styles of wine. With food wines, both the wine and food is enhanced by each other. Quaffing wines may be excellent with food but are also excellent sipping them all by themselves. And of course there are exceptions in both directions but this is the nut shell version.
Medium ruby hue with aromas of subdued red fruit that is confused with perhaps notes of strawberry with some spice on the rim.
Palate-- First impression is positive with vibrant acidity, big fruity middle which was hiding in the bouquet. Juicy structure with tart raspberry mid-palate and strawberry on the end.
I just grabbed this for dinner tonight because we having cheesy broccoli soup and I wanted Pinot Noir. Local liquor store had a good selection at various price points. At my desire price point I was hoping to find better than a sourced "california" on the label wine. Eureka, this North Coast AVA was $13 so I grabbed it. I like it and it should be nice with our dinner so raise a glass!
Palate--Balanced minerally acidic front with fruit galore touting, summer melon, citrus mouth feel stone fruit and a fleeting $14, No...non-vintage) was an over sight as I do not generally buy non-vintage wines. They are an amalgamation of any number of scattered remains of several years of grapes but I admit my first impression is quite good considering.
I paid $7 for this marked down from $14 and I admit it is drinkable and as a summer wine pool side chilled down, it would work. I will have it with a broccoli, pasta creation my wife is working on. For $7 what the heck? For $14--no.
Intense ruby and garnet hue with aromas of luscious dark berry fruit and plum. The swirl of this wine in the bowl even looks silky. A moments later a new layer of rose blossom arises.
Palate--The silky look on the swirl doesn't carry through on the palate, but an integrated and well crafted wine is mouth filling. Plenty of blackberry and plum but really simple. The finish of this is disappointing.418
Duckhorn makes very nice wines with better quality grapes coming from AVA's and hence a higher price for the wine. This is a California sourced creation meaning their grapes for this could have come from anywhere in the state. Such "sourced" wines are always much cheaper and this Duckhorn" is no exception. I paid $18 for this which I would NEVER pay for a sourced California wine. But since it was "Duckhorn" I gave it a shot. While it is better than your typical "sourced" wine it is over priced at $18.
I will have this my wife's seductive beef stew and it will enhance the stew as well as the stew enhancing the wine. I am glad I bought this but I wouldn't do it again.
Opaque garnet hue with slight bricking at the rim with aromas of cassis notes, blackberry with pie berries and savory spice.
Palate--slightly watery texture with the same flavors in the mouth as in the bouquet. Basically integrated with a nicely bitter hint at the edges of the tongue and a fleeting finish.
Previously reviewed just in June you will see a vastly different profile. Why? Could be my palate is a touch wonky having just had surgery and the effect of drugs or it could be that I suck as a reviewer. (Nah! Impossible) :)
Pale gold with aromas of pears, sweet cream and a touch of citrus.
Palate--Off dry with good acidity, (surprisingly good) subtle lemon core with pear notes, and an interesting mid palate with a finish that is subtle but pleasant.
This is a nominally made wine and while not offensive is a poor showing of how great rieslings can be.
I paid $6 for this Trader Joe's wine and it will improve with some chill on it. Pairing with a pork stir fry which will be OK.
Garnet hue with rustic cherry steel, and savory spice.
Palate--Really nice first impression with a relaxed structure, brimming with fruit and demanding you go back to the bottle.
This Trader Joe's selection was $8 and I will be buying more. It is a great pizza wine, light cheeses, or all by itself so raise a glass!
Palate-Full bodied, immature profile with acidic foundation. Rather finessed tannins, quick finishing fruit and yet leaves a remembrance of what your experiencing.
This Trader Joe's offering is $7 and ya just can't complain about such a value production. Sure it's angular but it is YOUNG! It's never going to be a head turner but at this price point you have to Raise a glass!
Beautiful crystalline ruby hue with aromas of sophisticated rich, red berry and plum, hints of wood, nutmeg, and more perky black raspberry fruit.
Palate--Very nice first impression with a textured palate, balanced fruit and structure, and modest with what is there.
This is 80% Zinfandel with an obvious adornment of Petite Sirah. Dry Creek makes lovely wines which are beyond the ubiquitous $10 price point wines I feature. But I had a gift certificate for this wine so I grabbed it. At $28 it is more than what I normally buy but it is a very well made Zinfandel. I will be pairing it with mine and my wife's favorite bacon, and onion topped french tart with cottage cheese and sour cream baked on a pizza stone. If you can handle it, try Dry Creek! They just do wine, all their wines, really well! Raise a glass!
Very pale yellow/orange hue with aromas of gentle musk melon, baby powder, and relaxed subtle citrus notes.
Palate--Pin prick bubbles in ample supply with an off dry sweetness mid-palate with gentle fruit, finishing quickly.
This is a value wine for which I do not remember I paid for it, but knowing me, I didn't pay over $10. I paired it with a spicy Zatarain's black bean creation my wife made with left over baked chicken. It worked really well! So if you find this for under $10 I would say "Raise a glass" and be bold in your pairing options!
Palate--Perky first impression, with minerally front, a bit watery mouth feel but much bigger fruit presence than expected. Finish lingers a bit and pushes you to take another sip.
Found this on close out for $7 which is crazy and I will grab a few more if I have the chance so raise a glass.
Opaqueish magenta with slight bricking at the rim with aromas of milk chocolate covered cherries, licorice, caraway and fennel.
Palate--Integrated, full bodied with acidic foundation, spiced cherries, lip smacking tannins, and a fleeting finish but with some residual of everything on the palate.
This Tempranillo is at its peak and should be drunk immediately. It will drink well for another year but will be changing along the way. This is going to be a great pairing with my charcoal grilled Valentine's Day, NY bone in, strip steak for the love of my life who has celebrated 52 of these corny pseudo holidays with me.
I paid only $17 for this as the store was dumping the usual $35 price tag probably because of the age of the wine. It is a nice wine especially for what I paid for it. If you see one for the lower end price grab it and enjoy it as it is a nice treat. Raise a glass!
Palate--A burst of acidity at eh first impression with lively structure that will cut the grease off your tongue if having a fatty, buttery sauce. Mid palate is lemony with a touch of bitters which is quite nice. More fruit over every part of the mouth and tongue with a zippy tart green apple finish with mouth feel and a lingering lemony finish.
This is extraordinary for the price I paid. It is really well made, different, structured, clean and honestly the best Chardonnay I have had in a long while at this price point. If you see this for under $20 (it tends to run around $15) grab it and see how delicious and interesting-- even inexpensive-- Chardonnay can be. Raise a Glass!
Palate--First impression is fairly balanced, with finessed structure for a wine at this price point, nad flavors of slightly tart berries galore with a lip smacking structure and a finish that is rather non-existent.
The label of this wine is eye-catching and a paucity of verbiage on the label. This Portuguese wine is made to be fun, simple and tasty to go with a variety of casual, comfort foods and cheeses. I am making a pasta dish with pastrami parmesan and it will be quite nice. ATrader Joe's offering at $7 so how can you pass it up? Raise a glass.
Purple hue with aromas of steely fruit with ash, grapey plum, and cherry berry.
Palate--Lazy first impression with acidic line, watery texture, okay cherry berry flavor finishing quickly and awkwardly.
I bought this for $8 at a favorite liquor store but this is clunky, confused, and marginal. Not a repeat!
Magenta with bricking at the edges. Aromas of plum, closed stuffy berry fruit with gentle savory spice at the rim.
Palate--Watery texture, flavors are confused, some savory spice with oaged dark berry fruit.
This 5 year old Shiraz from the storied region of McLaren Vale, d'arenberg Australia, is fading quickly. It is over the hill which in and of itself is not necessarily a bad thing but in this case it is a definite PASS.
Dark purple hue with aromas of remarkable plum, blackberry, a suggestion of roe petal in the bowl, with slightly sweet spice at the edge. Palate-Slightly tart, with a specious texture, loads of spice mid palate, with plummy, dark berry fruit finishing with some blackberry pie.
This is a Sam's Club "Member's Mark" merlot made for them by the great winery of Ste. Michelle of Patterson, Washington. I lived between Seattle and Tacoma in the early 80's well before the silicon Valley migration north. Ste. Michelle was/is an accomplished Washington State winery with a history predating most of the wineries proliferating the superior AVA's all over the Columbia Valley and beyond.
At $8 for this Merlot, it is drinkable, well made for what it is, and we all benefit from the mega-corp of Sam Walton and his marketing genius. For the money, give it a try, it's an economical way to party if nbothing else. LOL Raise a glass!
Grapey purple hue with aromas of ash, somewhat unique fruit bouquet of perky red berry with an edge.
Palate--Confusing first impression with solid fruit foundation. Mid palate there is a pleasant "bitterness" but needs some air time.
This is my first exposure to this winery and while I was having a not so great day, my wife of 51 years came home with this for me. :) I think my wife probably paid around $20 for it. It is a different style which is always a nice treat but not sure it should be in the $20 price range.
Pairing it with my homemade venison chile and it will rock.
Palate--Metallic first impression with rigid acidity, and loads of luscious mouth watering summer fruit mixed with tropical fruit compote and a palate cleansing acidity with a fletting finish.
Pairing this with Parmesan and garlic shrimp tonight and it should be great.
I grabbed this for $9 and Gabbiano is a trusted name in Italian wine. This would be great in a warm clime with fresh fruit and light cheeses on the patio or all by itself at poolside. Here in Maine where we have been enjoying the "polar vortex" and below zero nights, we'll stick with a fireplace and spicy shrimp. Raise a glass!
Lighter strawberry juice hue with slight signs of aging around the rim. Aromas of strawberry and raspberry juice, sweet red juice above the rim, and a spicy touch above the rim.
Palate--Raspberry front palate first impression with sturdy juicy foundation, with raspberry pie on the end and a finish that hangs on for a bit.
This Central Otago New Zealand Pinot has a pretty good pedigree. New Zealand produces some very nice Pinot Noirs and they will run you upwards of $20 and more. This 2018 is at its peak and will not hang on to much longer. If you have one I suggest drinking ASAP.
I am pairing it with oven roasted chicken thighs and root vegetables. It will be lovely match so raise a glass but look for a younger wine!
Palate--Tart first impression with a lively mid-palate, nice red berry fruit mid-palate, tannins that are still a bit harsh, with a somewhat smoky finish. Overall a nice quaff.
I paid $15 for this and it is a decent wine for price but nothing memorable which you really wouldn't expect anyway at this price point.
Sweet cherry aroma highlights the sturdy garnet hue with hints of bath powder, a touch of rustic spices.
Palate--Lusty first impression with bold presentation of really nice dried berries, cherry, savory nuanced spices, and forest floor. Finish is quick but makes you want to go back for more.
The "ripasso" method is special and you should Google it if interested.
Another Trader Joe's super value at $12 which is a crazy price for this with such quality. Grab more if you can as it is young and will please for years to come. Raise a glass!
Pale straw with aromas of green apple, hints of lime, peach and tropical fruits.
Palate--Lovely first impression of balanced even if a little flabby, with immense fresh, summer fruit, tropical fruit medley, apple and while the finish is fleeting, it is present enough to tantalize you for another quaff.
This is another Trader Joe's regular which is generally around $7-10 and it is a bargain at any price like this. Chenin Blanc is the grape of the Loire Valley in France and they know how to do it well.
I will be pairing this with my cumin, coriander rubbed pork chops and it should work very well so raise a glass!
Deep purple hue with fragrant bouquet of pomegranate, beautiful berry fruit with lovely floral notes, and sweet spice on the edges.
Palate--A bit tart with big fruit berry filled flavors, on a structured foundation that is youthful yet approachable now but will improve over the next few years.
This previously reviewed (although a different vintage) Trader Joe's regular is a bargain at $10. I loved the 2021 and I love this one as well. Needs another year or two to be at its optimum but it is swell with charcoal grilled rib-eye, lasagna, pasta and hearty cheeses. Raise a glass!
Palate--Silky presentation, with semi sweet impression although not sweet in the least. Textured, silky tannins, mouth filling red and dark cherry-berry flavors, with a sweet savory spiciness and a finish that lingers.
A Christmas present from a relative who knows wine. This is lovely, well made, delicious and will pair well with my celebratory dinner of the inauguration of a new, lawful, America First President.
This will run you around $35 and it is a treat so raise a glass!
A pretty purple hue with aromas of tart red apple, sour pomegranate, powder, pie crust, and a faint fouch of urea.
Palate--Mouth watering acidity with a juicy foundation, big minerally steel mid palaste, and puckery tannins. Fleeting finish.
This is a Trader Joe's Portuguese wine and at $6 I don't know what's not to like. It would be wild with some strong cheeses, or a grilled hamburger, roasted, spiced chicken, pizza or my dinner tonight, my wife's homemade broccoli cheese soup. I mean it is $6 so, why not give it a shot! Raise a glass!
Red slightly opaque garnet hue with aromas of ripe fruit but needs some time to open up to what's really there.
Palate--On opening: I like the first impression of a balanced, integrated, rich berry fruit with a lively acidity with a rich mid-palate of more plum and blackberries. Finishes with a slightly fruity intrigue.
Reference price on this Cab is $30 but I paid $15 on sale. It's nice, food friendly but will be better in a couple more years. Raise a glass.
Palate--Integrated profile with solid acidity, and dry crushed red berry mid palate, with rustic savory spice reminiscent of Tuscan Sangiovese.
Display price for this Tuscan Cabernet was $22 though I paid $11 for it. I will pair it with my wife's homemade lasagna and it will be lovely. That it is already showing signs of age means it should be drank as soon as possible. It will be tasty for another 8-16 mos. Raise a glass!
