$4 < House Wine > $12

I keep the following bottles at home to open on casual occasions. They are easy to drink as they are or pair with food. I like to keep my posts short and sweet, so I didn't write tasting notes for these, but I'm happy to add them at your request. Trader Joe's offers this list at these prices. They sell at such low margins that they don't do 1/2 case or case discounts like Whole Foods and other wine shops. I've seen these bottles at other stores for a buck or two more - not a big deal, but for such low priced wine they just tacked on another 20%!

Domaine Ste. Michelle: Brut and Blanc de Noirs

Traditional Method, Colombia Valley, Washington, $6.99

Picton Bay: Sauvignon Blanc (12.5%)

2008, Marlborough, New Zealand, $6.99

Trader Joe's Coastal Syrah (13.8%)

2006, California, $3.99

La Loggia: Barbera D'Alba DOC (14%)

2007, Alba, Piedmont, Italy, 2007 $6.99

Castle Rock: Pinot Noir (13.8%)

2007, Mendocino County, California, $9.99

Robert Hall: Cabernet Sauvignon (14%)

2006, Paso Robles, California, $11.99

Liberty School (second label of the famous/cult Napa cab Caymus): Cabernet Sauvignon (14%)

2006, Paso Robles, California, $11.99

Past Recs (vol. 1)

Here are some wines I like (both price and producer!). Remember that people working in wineshops can make the best recommendations when you give them information about what wines you enjoy and how much you want to spend.

*****

Values by varietal (type of grape):

Cabernet Sauvignon:

Meyer Vineyards

Napa Valley

Dark rich and plush this cab is tightly focused with a long intense finish.

Cabernet Sauvignon:

Mantra

Alexander Valley

The Wine Exchange of Sonoma for $25

Grenache:

Outpost

Howell Mountain, Napa Valley

2005

Boasts deep garnet color with elements of espresso, roast chocolate blackberries, and smoky oak.

Shiraz:

St. Hallett

Barossa (Australia)

FAITH

2005

Beautiful ruby, concentrated color.  Drinks well young – powerful fruit notes of cherry and blackberry, supple tannins and silky texture. Tasted more cab like than shiraz to me – not too spicy or peppery with lots of dark fruit, hint of vanilla. Would buy again at $22 and serve to guests.

Whole Foods for $25

Sauvignon Blanc and Un-oaked Chardonnay:

Kim Crawford: out of New Zealand. Her wines are fermented and aged in stainless steel and always taste fresh, with tropical and citrus notes. Perfect everyday white and very well distributed. Save a few bucks and try Picton Bay's sauv blanc from Trader Joe's.

Pinot Noir:

Ramsay

North Coast, California

2006

13%

Outstanding value from legendary Napa winemaker Kent Rasmussen – blend of red fruit from the north coast counties (Pauli property in Mendocino and the Rasmussen Estate plot in Napa Carneros). Vibrant black cherry and raspberries with notes of black truffle and vanilla. Contact The Wine Exchange of Sonoma – could be worth buying 1/2 case or case to have at house if you’re partial to Pinot. 800-938-1794 email Dan Noreen at wineexsonoma@vom.com

Pinot Noir:

DRYSTONE

Berridge Vineyard Estates

Central Otago, New Zealand

2003

14%

Nice little "value" pinot. And some Trader Joe's have Castle Rock Mendocino County pinot for $10. Very pretty - rose water, raspberries, strawberries, slightly autumnal.

Pinot Noir:

Sineann

Covey ridge vineyard

Willamette Valley, Oregon

2007

14.6%

Bob and Marilyn Senko's vineyard

Richly concentrated for a pinot. Notes of dark chocolate, black cherry, spicy (baking) aromatics and sweet black fruits. Smoothe for its high alcohol content. 

Whole Foods for $46

Petit Syrah:

Guenoc

Lake County

2005

13.5%

Guenoc Valley winery is a 35 mile estate that straddles Napa and Lake Counties.

Silky, inky, dense petit syrah. Another great wine from Trader Joe's in the $11-15 price range.

Cabernet Sauvignon:

Liberty School

Paso Robles

2005

Personally think it’s the best value cab I’ve bought. I like Robert Hall to which is also a cab out of Paso and at a similar price point. 

Whole Foods for $17 and Trader Joe's for $12.

Zinfandel:

Peachy Canyon Winery

“Incredible Red”

Paso Robles

2006

“Incredible Red” is a great Zinfandel for everyday enjoyment.  Excellent with a variety of foods from peppered steak to pasta.

Trader Joe’s for $12

Merlot:

Hall

Napa Valley

14.5%

2004

Soft but engaging merlot. Not sure its worth the Napa price premium, but that's just me caring less about brand and more about TASTE.

Pinot Gris:

Sineann

Oregon

2007

13%

The closest New World pinot gris I've taste to Alsace (my weakness). In Peter Sineann's humble words: "It would be great to be able to take credit for how this wine turned out. In the winery we are meticulously selective, press lightly and then keep our hands off. That's about as far as we go. All the other wonderful qualities of this wine, the elevating aromatics, the broad, rich palate, the long, lingering finish come out of the vineyards."

Wine Lab in Newport Beach for $17