Price: $6.99 @ Trader Joe’s
What They Said:
Per Boeger Winery “Luscious and jammy aromas of: cedar, earth, vanilla, caramel, cherries, plums and oak. Rich flavors of dark fruits, gentle tannins and balances acidity make this the intimate BBQ companion.”
What I Think:
Hailing from El Dorado county this one seems to be a regular (or not so much) hodgepodge. Lot 38 was Zin, Cab, Barbera and Petite Sirah. Lot 42 was a Barbera and Zinfandel blend. And they move fast. They announced Lot 41 on Feb 28th and they are already on to Lot 42. A search turns up that the Hangtown Red also has quite a legacy having first been bottled back in 1975. I found this interesting article that did a great job of sharing the back story. While it appears there was once some information available on Lot 41 that is no longer the case. That said it looks like the winery does a good job of offering these for fair prices ($8.75) on their site while working with Trader Joe’s at the same time. I’m always happy to see that!
(14.1%) Blend Unknown – Nice fruity nose this translates to the palate with rich plum flavors. A bit of acidity emerges as the mid-palate dries out and starts to show some gentle, chewy tannins which lead to a plush, creamy finish (showing vanilla and oak) with just a hint of sweetness that lingers together nicely. This is Trader Joe’s sweet spot as they deliver many wines with the same taste profile.
In the article mentioned above they quoted Greg Boeger as saying the Hangtown Red “isn’t meant to be a statement wine. Nonetheless, it has a lot to say of how Californians live and eat, as well as their fondness for wines that can be counted on for character and value.” To that end I think they hit the mark. This is an affordable, approachable everyday wine that I’ll certainly be grabbing another bottle of. I think many of you will be pleased if you do the same.
Rating: Buy It
Per the bottle “Our curiously rich and spicy blend gets its dark color and robust crushed raspberry and Bing cherry characteristics from Shiraz while the Viognier adds a subtle aromatic tropical fruit flavor. Enjoy with BBQ, pizza and pasta in a spicy tomato sauce.”
Price: $3.99 @ Trader Joe’s
(13.5%) On the lighter side (see picture) but the right color. Garnet at the core with light reddish, orange edges. Right nose as it shows some strawberry notes with cloves. On the palate it is smooth and goes down easy. Rich but decent acidity with fake oak creaminess and manageable heat on the finish. It is clear this is nowhere near 100% Pinot and I’m guessing Syrah is its partner in crime. Far better than the