#1 — 2007 Trentatre Rosso
#2 — 2007 Rabbit Ridge Allure de Robles
#4 — 2008 VINTJS Syrah
#5 — 2007 Now & Zen Wasabi White
#6 — 2007 Perrin Cotes du Rhone Reserve
#7 — 2008 Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Carmenere
#8 — 2006 Chiusa Grande Tommolo Montepulciano d Abruzzo
#9 — 2008 La Granja Tempranillo
#10 — 2007 Dr. Beckermann Piesporter Michelsberg Riesling Spatlese
2008 Sauvignon Republic Stellenbosch Sauvignon Blanc
Price: $6.99 @ Trader Joe’s imported by Sauvignon Republic
What They Said:
Per Sauvignon Republic “Ancient shale and granitic soils, ocean breezes, and a favorable exposure result in tropical juicy-fruit flavors with herbal nuances and minerality. Serve with spicy world foods including Southeast Asisan, Indian and New World Hispanic. Citrus notes refresh the palate for each bite.”
What I Think:
I grabbed this one and put it in the cart, within moments I saw another offering from the Russian River under the same label. I reacted with suspicion, not sure why as there are a number of vintners out there now tying together wines from around the world under the same brand umbrella. The Espiritu de Argentina and Espiritu de Chile sister labels are the first that come to mind. Cameron Hughes is perhaps the most well known of those that operate on this model. By the way, have I mentioned lately why I love Trader Joe’s wine? If you are one of the unfortunate few without one nearby you can pick up a bottle of this from wine.com for $22. Just slightly north of 3x the $7 you can grab it for at TJ’s. Savings aren’t the end of the story you still have to deliver! So let’s see what’s in the bottle…
The bottle recommended a pairing with spicy Southeast Asian food so this one was opened with Thai red chicken curry on the table. In the glass this one was very light in color, not golden by any means more of a straw color. On the nose I find a bit of citrus with nice white stone fruit intermingled throughout. The palate opens with lemons that are backed by a nice crisp, mineral backbone. A hint of grassiness appears toward the middle before mineral, stony notes emerge on the finish. A very nice wine, one that I will be buying again. I’m guessing the same can be said for the Marlborough, in my fridge and 91 points from the Wine Spectator, and the Russian River bottling. For a gift idea, check out this tasting mat (pdf) and grab all three. Hurry as I am sure they won’t last long!
Rating: Buy It
I just saw these yesterday at TJ’s. I was suspicious since several very different regions were under one label. But it makes sense now. I wonder if they’ll be bottling Sancerre in the future. If they’re the experts, they should be getting Sauvignon from the best region for it!
The Trader Joe’s Holiday Wines email had this to say about this bottle:
Stellenbosch South Africa – Like the strut of the Secretary Bird (featured on the label), this wine is poised, sure. It boasts tropical aromas with hints of passion fruit that lift the nose and citrus and flint flavors that firmly embrace the palate. Nuanced with a grassy tone and crisp, structural acidity, this Sauv says, “bring on the spices!”
Picked up a bottle of the Marlborough the other day. Look forward to giving it at try. At $7, it’s worth stocking up on all three and doing blind flight tastings just for the fun of it!
According to the Trader Joe’s “Holiday Wines” e-mail I got the other day: “The Sauvignon Republic projest began with the purpose or producing sublime Sauvignon Blanc, illuminating the range of expression this grape can yield. When the project hit hard times (okay, when the world economy took a wallop) we had the opportunity to procure a collection of these region specific Sauvignon Blancs and provide them to you for an unbelieveable price: $6.99″
BTW, the project’s website has more statistics, etc.
Looking forward to putting a few of each in my “cellar” for the coming months.
Now that the e-mail is out, supply will sell down quickly, so act fast or you may miss out.
I just gave this the #3 spot in my latest Trader Joe’s Top 10 Wine List.
Bought a bottle of the Sauvignon Republic at TJ’s – was surprised by how superb it was.
which one did you grab, still haven’t had the Russian River but the other two are winners…