Comments on: 2006 The California Wine Party Franc Merlot

By: Karen Clementi

Karen Clementi — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:25:26 +0000

p.s. Have asked for the two you listed above — Santa Ynez Valley Winery Cabernet Franc & Dynamic Red Table Wine — and we don’t have these locally.

By: karen c.

karen c. — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:10:24 +0000

I just tried this and loved it. Went back today and all the TJ’s here in Illinois are sold out. Do you have any recommendations for anything similar available at TJ’s? Have you seen/tried the 2007 yet?

By: Bill Turner

Bill Turner — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:42:56 +0000

I just discovered this wine about a month ago. I picked it out on my own simply by the blend and the price.

This is my new favorite table wine. I drink it with pizza, and it’s even good enough with nice cheeses at TJs too. Not only is it my new favorite daily wine, it wins by a mile. I have found, that the somewhat dry finish really smooths out if this wine breaths for a bit.

I do believe this is the best under $10 bottle I’ve ever had. I’ve spent even more and gotten less. I hardly ever buy by the case, but I might just get a case of this stuff.

My only complaint is TJs doesn’t have enough locations. I have to drive far to get my wine, but large brand crap costing well over $10 can’t even touch TJs under $10 wines and The California Wine Party Franc Merlot wins my heart for VERY drinkable budget wine.

By: jason

jason — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 20:57:51 +0000

@G Glad to hear it, the wine is still available here in San Francisco. @Dan Again, glad to hear it struck a chord with your palate as well... @Rima Though the winery doesn't exist they have more offerings flowing into the Trader Joe's. Check out the Pancake Cellar Big Day White and Caretaker Pinot Noir if you want to sample their other offerings. In the meantime we will keep our fingers crossed for an '07 version of the Franc Merlot.

By: Rima

Rima — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:09:43 +0000

I am so bummed. I don’t understand why this winery doesn’t really exist. 1 time buyout for TJ’s. Will they ever make any wine again???? It’s all very mysterious, but dang that wine was goooooooooooood.

I want some right now!!!!!!!!!

By: Dan

Dan — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 20:25:35 +0000

I found it this weekend and enjoyed it so much I did a web search. I’m a franc fan to start. Also, have to say more impressive on day 2 than day 1- may need a little time to be more accessible for some.

By: G

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 00:25:38 +0000

My TJ’s just restocked the ’06 Franc/Merlot and after reading the blog a few months back I grabbed a few bottles – Loved it, even 2 days after opening it. It seems pretty versatile too. Just wanted to throw my two cents in.

By: jason

jason — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 07:17:46 +0000

@Gavin Glad you enjoyed it. I'll have to keep this one in mind for easy to pair with food... @Danny Haven't tried any of the TJ's Coastal series, seems like it will be staying that way. Plenty familiar with Columbia Crest as I've enjoyed many of there wines including the '03 Two Vines Merlot which was $6. Awesome work comparing the '05 and '06. If you get a chance grab a bottle of the Two Vines and let me know where that fits in.

By: Danny

Danny — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 03:46:11 +0000

Was curious about the 2006 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot [ $7.99 @ TJ's, $7.99 @ Ralphs and presently $7.49 @ Bevmo on special (down from $9.99) for a limited time]. So I decided to give it a try. It’s a slightly softer, slightly restrained version of the 2005, but it went down very easy for me and even quicker than the 2005–a real pleasureable quaffer! Exciting. This one would fall into your “Buy it” category, Jason , I would think, as would the 2005, but each wine has different merits. Went well with my dinner of mac ‘n cheese and salsbury steak.

By: Danny

Danny — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 03:41:27 +0000

Ooops! Re my previous reply above –any mention of “merot” should read “merlot” instead