The Sterling Vintner’s Collection Meritage 2013 is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot sourced from Sterling’s Paris Valley Ranch Vineyard near Monterey Bay along with other vineyards in California’s Central Coast AVA. A Meritage wine (rhythms with heritage) is a Red Blend wine based on the wine-making tradition of…
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The Domaine Dozon Chinon Rose’ 2014 is 100% Cabernet Franc sourced from a sustainably farmed vineyard on the hillside above the Vienne River in the Chinon AOC of the Loire Valley in France. Cabernet Franc is one of the grapes approved for Bordeaux Red blends. But, in the Chinon AOC, Cabernet Franc is not only…
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The Michael David Inkblot Tannat 2012 is sourced from a single vineyard located in the southeastern edge of the Lodi AVA in northern California. Michael and David Phillips are brothers and 5th generation grape growers (their family has been farming in Lodi since the 1850s) who started their winery in 1984. Lodi is in the…
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The Murrieta’s Well The Spur 2011 is a blend of 31% Petite Sirah, 29% Petit Verdot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Malbec and 5% Cabernet Franc sourced from estate vineyards in the Livermore Valley AVA near San Francisco Bay. Murrieta’s Well was first planted in 1883 and in the 1930s was purchased by Wente Vineyards (they…
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The Columbia Crest Grand Estates Red Blend 2011 is 61% Merlot, 27% Syrah, 6% Cabernet Franc, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% “other” sourced from vineyards in the Wahluke Slope AVA, the Horse Heaven Hills AVA (both inside the Columbia Valley AVA) and the Columbia Valley AVA of Washington State. Columbia Crest is owned by Chateau…
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The Foggy Veil Paso Robles Grenache 2023 is a $5.99 Trader Joe’s exclusive. A Check of the California Wine Cola Registry shows Miller Family Wines as the Producer. The Story The Miller Family have been farming in California since the 1940s and have had vineyards since the 1970s. They own some of the most highly…
Read MoreSend us Fan Mail Barbanera inBianco Sangiovese White 2024 This is a Tuscan Sangiovese, from a family-owned winery started in 1938, that is produced like a White wine. The Sangiovese grapes are pressed and are immediately discarded, no skin contact. The skin is where the tannins and other chemicals are contained. So, this Sangiovese is…
Read MoreSend us Fan Mail Magus Dark Garnacha This is a $6.99 Costco wine that seems to be a wine selling for $18 to $24 elsewhere. Garnacha is a sleek, dark, rich wine that does not need oak aging. Miles Davis, in 1974, released a live album from Carnegie Hall entitled Dark Magus. Is there a…
Read MoreSend us Fan Mail Ever wonder what happens when a prestigious Napa Valley winery known for $100+ Cabernets creates an affordable white wine? Pine Ridge’s Chenin Blanc Viognier blend shatters expectations at just $11.99, delivering complexity and refinement that punches well above its modest price tag. This delightful anomaly in Pine Ridge’s portfolio combines 80%…
Read MoreSend us Fan Mail The Maison Barboulot Chardonnay Viognier 2024 from Trader Joe’s defies its $5.99 price tag with impressive flavor complexity and balance. This French wine from the Languedoc region combines Chardonnay (60%) and Viognier (40%) to create a refreshing, aromatic white that tastes far more expensive than it is. • Unique “old style…
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The Compass Bridge Sonoma Pinot Noir 2023 is a limited-edition wine available at Trader Joe’s for $9.99. The Compass Bridge brand is from a entity of Delicato Family Vineyards. The Story Delicato Family Vineyards, from the Lodi AVA, purchased Coppola Wines (Sonoma) a few years ago and formed a large wine company that produces wine…
Read MoreSend us Fan Mail Discovering exceptional value in the wine world feels increasingly rare, but Compass Bridge Sonoma County Chardonnay 2023 proves quality affordable wine still exists. At just $8.99 from Trader Joe’s, this newcomer delivers surprising complexity and balance that would satisfy even at twice the price. Behind this bottle stands an intriguing partnership….
Read MoreSend us Fan Mail Ever wondered if you could find a genuinely good bottle of wine for just $10? In this episode, we uncork a surprising discovery from Trader Joe’s – their Reserve Paso Robles Grenache 2023, produced by one of the most respected winemaking families in California’s Central Coast. The Beckett family, founders of…
Read MoreSend us Fan Mail Sometimes the most remarkable wines are hiding in plain sight on grocery store shelves. The Trader Joe’s Reserve Walla Walla Syrah 2023 represents everything worth celebrating about today’s value wine landscape – exceptional quality from a prestigious growing region at a surprisingly accessible $10 price point. This blue-labeled bottle comes from…
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The Trader Joe’s Reserve Walla Walla Syrah 2023 is an exclusive Trader Joe’s offering at $9.99. It is produced for Trader Joe’s by DNA Vineyards, which has provided Trader Joe’s with quality wines for years. The Story DNA Vineyards is Dennis Patton and Andrea Silverstein, who together have over 65 years of experience in the…
Read MoreSend us Fan Mail The fascinating world of wine often hides gems in plain sight. Meet the Bacchus Ginger’s Cuvée Pinot Noir 2023, a $12.99 bottle that breaks the assumption that quality must come with a hefty price tag. What makes this wine remarkable isn’t just its approachable price point, but the pedigree behind it….
Read MoreSend us Fan Mail The unexpected bargains of wine industry disruption take center stage as Domain Dave explores Trader Joe’s Diamond Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2023. At $19.99, this single-vineyard wine represents the upper tier of Trader Joe’s offerings, yet delivers value far beyond its price point. What makes this bottle particularly intriguing is…
Read MoreSend us Fan Mail Ever wondered if a $10 bottle of wine could truly impress your palate? The Kirkland Signature Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 might just change everything you thought you knew about budget wines. After returning from a brief hiatus, I couldn’t wait to share this remarkable Costco find with you. This isn’t…
Read MoreSend us Fan Mail Wine bargain alert! I’ve just discovered what might be the steal of the year hiding in plain sight at Trader Joe’s. The evaluna Mendocino Chardonnay 2023 is quietly sitting on shelves for a mere $9.99, while the same bottle commands $30-50 at other retailers nationwide. This isn’t just any budget wine—it’s…
Read MoreSend us Fan Mail Few things bring more satisfaction than discovering a wine that dramatically overdelivers for its price point. Enter Trader Joe’s Lustrous Russian River Chardonnay 2023—an $8.99 bottle that has me reaching for a third sip and taking notice. This newcomer from Precision Wine Company (creators of 22 different wine brands found at…
Read MoreSend us Fan Mail Unlock the secrets of festive wine and champagne shopping with our latest episode, where we reveal how to snag top-tier bubbly without breaking the bank. Curious about how to find irresistible deals on holiday champagne? We’ll walk you through the enchanting world of GH Mum Brut Grand Cordon Rosé, a standout…
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The Gnarly Head Old Vine Lodi Zinfandel 2022-Grateful Dead Edition is a wine I found on sale for $7.99. Gnarly Head wines offer both a Grateful Dead Zinfandel and a Cabernet Sauvignon. These wines are from Delicato Family Vineyards which have been in Lodi for 100 years, they recently purchased Coppola Wines. The Lodi AVA…
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The La Galope Gascogne Rosé 2023 is a wine I found selling for $9.99 at a local supermarket, a web check showed this wine selling for an average of $13. Cascogne is located between the Pyrenees and the Atlantic Ocean in southwest France. This is designated a Comté Tolsan IGP wine which is one of…
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Send us Fan Mail Maison Barboulot Cinsault Rosé 2023-Trader Joe's $6 Tasty French Rosé Maison Barboulot has been a popular brand at TJ's with their Cabernet/Syrah value-priced wine. These are Vin de Pays/IGP wines from vineyards in the Languedoc. The Languedoc is the largest growing region in France and the place where French people get…
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The Daou Paso Robles Sauvignon Blanc 2022 is a wine listed for $17 and often found for several dollars less. I found it for $15.99 at Trader Joe’s. The Daou winery is one of the premier facilities in Paso Robles (halfway between Las Angeles and San Francisco). Daou was founded in 2006 by two brothers…
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