Comments on: Trader Joe’s Thanksgiving Vine Report

By: jason

jason — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 19:39:30 +0000

@Ray Thanks for the note. Have you tried the Cuvee? I’ve yet to. If you give the Zin a try let us know what you think.

By: Ray

Ray — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:44:30 +0000

I second the opinion of winoclast, the petite sirah was a bit harsh and unbalanced (maybe another year in the bottle would help it?).

While it was drinkable, I’m glad I didn’t pay more than $7 for it and I think I’d be pretty unhappy if I paid $20 or $30.

Based on the reviews, I might try the Zin next.

By: jason

jason — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 03:37:01 +0000

Hey all, I just reviewed the Fife Zinfandel. In a nutshell, juicy and straightforward...

By: jason

jason — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 05:41:01 +0000

@Joe Just to be clear these weren’t my reviews, straight from the TJ’s flyer. Though I am writing a review on the Zinfandel now. I hear you on the Bogle, long time favorite of mine.

@May I grabbed a bottle of the Cuvee but have yet to try, hopefully I enjoy it as much as you did!

@Winoclast Thanks for the 2nd on the Petite Sirah as well as your thoughts on the others. I did enjoy the Zin. I would best describe it as “juicy” but have yet to try the others. Let me know if you have any other thoughts!

@Under Thanks for your take as well, as mentioned I 2nd your notion that the Zin is indeed serviceable, a very apt description. Yet to try the Cuvee but will share thoughts when I do…

@Eric Good to hear from you! As noted above this winery goes dark after their ’05 vintage to some extent. Like you I found references for older bottles selling between $20-$30 a bottle. That said I haven’t been able to fill in the blanks of what happened in the last few years. My thinking on them “once again emerging” was pure speculation. I’ve been asking around a bit and will let you know if I come up with anything worth sharing…

By: Eric

Eric — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:25:42 +0000

Hey J. Been out of touch but catching back up with the blogosphere. I seem to recall the Fife Max Cuvee at a much higher price point years ago (could it have been $20+). I was surprised to see it at the Joe but grabbed a bottle and like the rest of the commenters liked it but didn’t love it. Did Fife stop making wine and get back in, selling all their stuff to TJ’s or have I just not been in a real wine shop for too long???

By: Under the Influence

Under the Influence — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:17:41 +0000

Contrary to Troubadour Joe’s scintillating ad copy, I found no poetry, pure or otherwise, in the Fife Max Cuvee which bears the name of what in happier times must have been a wine of some character and breeding, but at $6.99 a bottle it was a pretty decent drink. The Zinfandel with its modest alcohol was tastier and very serviceable as an everyday, pizza-for-dinner type of wine, well worth the entrance fee. Have yet to try the Petite Sirah, but previous commentary bodes ill.

By: Winoclast

Winoclast — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:56:23 +0000

I thought the Petite Sirah tasted unbalanced & coarse and finished with more than a hint of creosote which really turned me off.

The Cab could have fooled me in a blind tasting into thinking it was a merlot. Pass… (I would rather drink the 07 Fetzer Cab for the same money).

The Max Cuvee is anything but Max, although it is quite drinkable, I found it a bit thin overall but the Zin shows it’s spice. IMHO, L’Authentique is a better wine for 2 bucks less.

I thought the Zin was the best of the bunch by far and several have come home with me since the VERY limited quantity was released.

By: May O'Mahoney

May O'Mahoney — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 02:15:42 +0000

Drinking my first glass of the Fife Max Cuvee. I think if there was any disappointment with the Petite Sirah, you’ll definitely find this one much more balanced. I won’t even try to use wine tasting terminology as I’m ill-equipped for that, but I will say that it is simultaneously smooth and complex. I’m pleasantly surprised and would definitely buy this again.

By: Joe Cesarone

Joe Cesarone — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 05:34:02 +0000

Hi Jason, thanks for the Fife reviews. Of the Fife’s, I’ve only tried the Petite Sirah. While certainly drinkable, I was not terribly impressed with this wine. It seemed harsh and unbalanced to me, with the tannins overpowering the fruit. I’ve been drinking a lot of Bogle P.S., and I think that has spoiled me somewhat – I believe that is a good value for a <$10 P.S. I will probably give the Fife zin a try, based on your notes; if I like the zin, I might yet give the P.S. another try!