Monthly Archives: October 2011

First Take: 2010 Chariot Gypsy

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As mentioned in yesterday’s Trader Joe’s Thursday post the 2010 vintage of the Chariot Gypsy has hit the shelves. Long time readers know that with each annual release I tend to leverage a rare video segment to share some initial thoughts whether that be from the Trader Joe’s parking lot (circa 2008) or later that evening from home. Without further introduction here is my initial take on the 2010 Chariot Gypsy…

To recap, we have a blend of 63% mystery “dry red”, 22% Cabernet and 15% Merlot versus the heavy Zinfandel component and accompanying Petite Sirah typical in previous vintages. Sweet on the nose and a touch on the palate with juicy cherries and soft acidity. Simple and pleasing but perhaps as good for what it isn’t, not cloying, harsh or flabby, as what it is. A solid $5 table wine for any occasion.

Have you had it yet? If so I’d love to hear your thoughts! If not let me know what your favorite value wine has been as of late…

Trader Joe’s Thursday Vol. II

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Trader Joe'sWelcome back for the second edition (first here) of Trader Joe’s Thursdays. As mentioned last time around Trader Joe’s hasn’t been getting the attention here it once did for a variety of reasons. That said with the holidays around the corner and a very old, dusty Top 10 list I wanted to get back to doing some value hunting in my old stomping grounds. The first edition saw me go 0 – 2 as I started looking for new best of candidates. The good news is that I think I found two (of five sampled) that are certain to grace the list and another that may round it out (though I hope we find better…).

    Before we get started if you have any current Trader Joe’s favorites please list them in the comments below so I can add them to my list…

In the meantime next up in my queue are the 2010 version of the Chariot Gypsy (which I picked up today and will pop tonight so stay tuned!) and an old favorite the Epicuro Aglianico. Both former recipients of the top spot on my list. That said I still have plenty of shopping to do so send your recommendations my way. Now onto this week’s wines…

  • 2009 Trentatre Rosso ($6) – (14%) 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 33% Montepulciano – Shocker alert! I almost didn’t pick this up as I didn’t want my adoration of the 2007 to be tarnished. Good news! This one is as easy drinking as ever. Nice clove spice, smooth with nice fruit and balanced acidity. Not complex a well-made wine without the rough edges or cloying sweetness you find in similar wines at this ($6) price point. Any early favorite to grab a top spot in my next Top 10 list…
  • 2011 Ferngreen Sauvignon Blanc ($6) – (13%) I believe I’ve found the answer for those that are still lamenting the disappearance of the King Shag. This is a spot on New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc from the big, bright mouthfeel to the dry, lip smacking finish. No doubt a good value for fans of this style and a sure contender for a mid-range spot on my next Top 10 list..
  • 2008 Green Barn Red Field Blend ($7) – (14.5%) 51% Zinfandel, 39% Syrah, 6% Grenache, 4% Petite Sirah – This kitchen sink blend is rich and smooth with juicy, slightly sweet, dark fruits that turn creamy before drying out on a peppery finish. A big wine, slightly hot on the tongue, to pair with a cold evening. Could possibly grab the last spot in my Top 10 list but hope we can do better.
  • 2009 Trader Joes Petit Reserve Pinot Noir ($7) – (13.9%) Inclination was to pass here but reconsidered. Pinot like color with an aggressive candied nose and sweetish raspberry fruit on the palate. For my taste this is lacking any of the qualities that make me love Pinot the way I do. I won’t be buying again but guessing some will beg to differ…
  • 2007 Epicuro Salice Salentino Riserva ($5) – (13%) 80% Negroamaro, 20% Malvasia Nera – Wet cardboard/woody nose are a warning sign. Yet I find dark fruits on the palate before this one turns a touch sweet. Thinking (or perhaps hoping) this one was flawed as I have enjoyed this one in the past but can’t get past the cardboard on the nose here. Should try another bottle but not likely to happen…

There you have it! I’ll see you next Thursday (and look for my thoughts on the Chariot Gypsy even sooner) and in the meantime don’t forget to add your recommendations to the comments below…

2009 Trentatre Rosso

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A long-time favorite the 2007 version of this wine has previously graced the #1 spot in my Trader Joe’s Top 10 Wine List . Back then the label mentioned it was discovered “quite by chance” given that (plus the history, or lack thereof, of Trader Joe’s wines delivering from vintage to vintage) I was somewhat reticent to grab the latest offering. Would my gut read be right? Let’s see…

2009 Trentatre RossoPrice: $5.99 @ Trader Joe’s imported by Santini Fine Wines

What They Said:

Per the bottle “This unique wine comes from the Apulia Region located in the depth of Southern Italy. The blend is an equal amount of three different varietals. Cabernet Sauvignon 33,3%, Merlot 33,3%, and Montepulciano 33,4% collectively aged six months in oak barrels, hence the name “Trentatre” which in Italian means Thirtythree. The color is a deep purple-red with a pleasant fruity nose with hints of plum, cherry, and chocolate. Full bodied, it has a supple finish with soft tannins. Enjoy it with pasta, pizza, grilled meats, seasoned cheese…or even on its own!”

What I Think:

(14%) 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 33% Montepulciano – An old time favorite that I haven’t revisited I was surprised (and happy) to find this one is still as easy drinking as ever. Nice clove spice on the nose. The palate is smooth with nice fruit (perhaps a touch sweet) and a balanced acidity. From there the clove spice emerges and leads to a dry, warm, lingering finish with hints of dusty cocoa powder. Not nuanced or complex in anyway but a well-made wine without the rough edges or cloying sweetness you find in many similar wines at this ($6) price point. Any early favorite to grab a top spot in my 2011 Holidays Edition of the Trader Joe’s Top 10 Wines List…

Rating: Buy It

2009 Trader Joe’s Petit Reserve Pinot Noir

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This one is made by DNA Vineyards and Dennis Patton who is known as the Merlin of Mendocino and is one of the chief proponents of the Coro Mendocino initiative. While his Trader Joe’s track record is strong this one is a bit curious as Pinot is not his forte (at least based on my somewhat limited knowledge) and the Edna Valley in San Luis Obispo county from which this one hails is a good distance away from his familiar stomping grounds in Mendocino County. That said let’s have the wine speak for itself…

Price: $6.99 @ Trader Joe’s

What They Said:

2009 Trader Joes Petit Reserve Pinot NoirPer Trader Joe’s “The San Luis Obispo AVA (American Viticultural Area) is known for its cool climate and long growing season, conditions that make it an ideal region for Pinot Noir grapes. The Edna Valley, nestled in the middle of this AVA, amplifies everything about San Luis Obispo that makes it Pinot’s perfect partner.

Trader Joe’s Petit Reserve Pinot Noir Edna Valley is made exclusively for us using 100% Pinot Noir grapes from Edna Valley, aged in French oak for 12 months. Pinot Noir from warmer regions tends to be super dark and highly tannic; not this one. The longer, cooler growing season afforded by Edna Valley’s climate results here in a lush, floral and vibrant wine with aromas of raspberries and violets, and hints of nutmeg. It’s an easy drinking wine, with a soft, round finish. Pair it with Pork Tenderloin, Mushroom Ravioli or an evening by the fire with a good book.

Wines of this quality, with this kind of pedigree, generally come with a hefty price tag. Our price of $6.99 proves that you can get really excellent wine at a really excellent price. Cheers!”

What I Think:

(13.9%) Tried at TJ’s and was going to pass but second thoughts made me reconsider. Light, bright in color. Aggressive candied cranberry with earthy, forest floor notes on the nose. Remains aggressive on palate with sweetish raspberry fruit. Slightly harsh on the edges with a clean, peppery finish. The thin flavor profile packed with big fruit leaves this one out of balance IMHO. Not one I’ll buy again but guessing there will be those that beg to differ…

Wine Geek Notes: 100% Pinot Noir aged for 12 months in French Oak. 13.8% ABV (although the label states 13.9%)

Rating: Skip It

2011 Ferngreen Sauvignon Blanc

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As part of my quasi-investigative Trader Joe’s Thursday series I delved back into the New Zealand section, where I’ve always had much success, to see what I might find. The beloved King Shag is no more so I was curious as to see whether this one (which is by the way my very first wine from the 2011 vintage) might be an apt replacement and a potential candidate for the Holiday 2011 Trader Joe’s Top 10 Wine List. Word on the street on is that it might be an early favorite for a midrange spot. Want to hear more? Read on my friends…

2011 Ferngreen Sauvignon BlancPrice: $5.99 @ Trader Joe’s imported by Latitude Wines

What They Said:

Per the bottle “Marlborough is one of the regions of New Zealand, located in the northeast of the South Island, known for its dry climate, the pictueresque Marlborough Sounds, and sauvignon blanc wine. Between two mountainous areas in the long straight valley of the Wairau River. This broadens to wide plains at the eastern end, in the centre of which stands Bleinheim. This region has fertile soil and temperate weather, and as such has become a centre of the New Zealand wine industry.”

What I Think:

(13%) This one is a fairly spot on New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc with a big, bright mouthfeel showing loads of ripe gooseberry, guava and passion fruit flavors. A lemon, citrus acidity emerges on the mid-palate and drives through to a dry, lip smacking finish. Perhaps a bit too ripe for my taste but no doubt a good value for those fans of this style.

Rating: Buy It

2008 Green Barn Red Field Blend

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Ever since I fell in love with a Ridge York Creek Zinfandel long ago I’ve been a sucker for field blends (which this one is). For those that might not new what this indicates it means that the grapes are grown intermixed in the vineyard. There isn’t a row of Zinfandel, a row of Syrah etc. but rather everything is grown side by side. As compared to the vast majority of wines which are grown individually, barreled individually and then in something akin to a science lab test tube tasting bottled together once the magic ratios are identified. But anyhow onto the wine…

2008 Green Barn Red Field BlendPrice: $6.99 @ Trader Joe’s

What They Said:

Per Trader Joe’s “Wines made with organically grown grapes have come a long way. We’ve been working with one of the pioneers of this burgeoning segment of the winemaking industry for years, and the wines he produces seem to get better as his efforts at sustainability and biodynamic farming grow even deeper roots (pun intended). We’ve recently partnered with this talented craftsman to create Green Barn Wines, exclusive to Trader Joe’s.

Green Barn Wines are made with organically grown grapes from Mendocino County, north of Sonoma, along the rugged northern California coast. Green Barn Red Wine is a blend of Zinfandel, Syrah, Grenache and Petite Sirah. It’s juicy in the mouth, with black cherry flavors and a bit of orange peel on the finish, with soft tannins.”

What I Think:

(14.5%) 51% Zinfandel, 39% Syrah, 6% Grenache, and 4% Petit Sirah – Nice full nose. On entry this is rich and smooth with juicy, slightly sweet, fruits of blackberry and cherry. These are joined by creamy tannins and a moderate acidity on the mid-palate. From there it turns tart before drying out on dusty, white pepper finish that turns a touch bitter before lingering on. A big wine, but not over the top, to pair with a big meal. If you don’t mind the tart fruit and flash of bitterness perhaps serve it with a nice beef chili on a cold evening…

Rating: 12th Bottle <- While I can imagine buying this one again I’m not likely to do so…

Trader Joe’s Thursday

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Trader Joe'sI know Trader Joe’s hasn’t been getting as much coverage here as they once had. The reasons for this are varied. 1) I haven’t been shopping at Trader Joe’s quite as much as I use to (for groceries). 2) At the same time I’ve recently scored a few cases from K&L Wines (check my latest haul), Vinos Unico and Cheese Plus (plus samples) which have left me a treasure trove of wine I’ve been (enjoyably) working my way through. Further I am finding that as my thirst for wine knowledge grows I am gravitating towards bottles I can learn more about (vineyards, brix, sugar levels, etc.). Given there is so little information available about the vino from Trader Joe’s (though the employees seem to get a boatload…) it has sapped some of my enthusiasm for these wines…

That said with the holidays around the corner and my Top 10 list ridiculously out of date I am going to once again be frequenting the Trader Joe’s wine aisles. My initial thought is that I’ll share my thoughts on those that aren’t top 10 candidates as part of this new Trader Joe’s Thursday’s series. As a side note I usually post notes to Cellar Tracker before they make their way here. You can find all my tasting notes here.

    Before we get started if you have any current Trader Joe’s favorites please list them in the comments below so I have a cheat sheet when I head over…

While we are waiting on me to go shopping why don’t we start with a few made an appearance at a work event last week…

  • 2009 Caretaker Wines Pinot Noir ($9) – (14.5%) Dark nose, cherry, red berries with wood notes and some slightly harsh, bitter notes. Full fruit, slightly creamy but falls apart quickly as a sour, tart acidity emerges leading to a short, heated, bitter finish. Crafted to be bigger in style but doesn’t quite deliver. That said I wasn’t a fan of the ’08 either but many others were. That said I am still passing on this one.
  • 2009 Bogle Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon ($10) – (13.5%) Dark fruit with some eucalyptus on the nose and the overwhelming aromas of sunscreen. SPF50 perhaps. Medium to full bodied on the palate with juicy cassis and dark cherry notes. A creaminess emerges on the mid-palate and lasts into a toasted, oaky, vanilla spiced finish. Little tannins or acidity to speak of downgrading the ability to pair this one with food widely. That said good for chili, a hamburger or to warm you up on a cold night. Quaffable and pleasant but better for drinking than tasting. Long a fan of Bogle (their Petite Sirah is a fave) they continue to deliver (despite the sunscreen) at the sub $10 price point. As for this particular bottle no need to seek it out but it is widely available should you ever find yourself in a jam…

There you have it! I’ll see you next Thursday and in the meantime don’t forget to add your recommendations to the comments below…

Down with the (Bonny) Doon!

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…or why I’m a fan of Bonny Doon Vineyard

Bonny Doon Vineyard Those that have been following along closely (via twitter or via CellarTracker) know that I have been drinking (and enjoying) quite a few of their wines lately. Yet for whatever reason that has been slow to translate into me posting them here. That said it is time to reconcile that.

Now I thought of starting this with a big introduction to Bonny Doon Vineyard but it has already been done better than I can do justice by many others before (see here, here and here or you can read Randall’s version here) so I’ll stick to the short story. Randall Grahm originally set out to make Pinot Noir before discovering Rhone grapes were a better match for California’s Mediterranean climate. He made the first vintage of Cigare Volant in 1984. In 1990 the winery entered a rampant period of growth launching the well-known Big House brand (including Cardinal Zin) and later Poet’s Leap Riesling. In 2006 he made the decision to trim his portfolio from 450,000 cases to 35,000 cases, selling off the labels mentioned above, to focus on biodynamically produced wines exhibiting “vin de terroir”. Never one scared to rock the status quo he opted for screwtops on his premium wines in 2000, lists all ingredients used in winemaking on his labels and has now set out to grow a new vineyard from seeds (which is unheard of). In this I see a passion for exploration which I share. Perhaps that is part of the reason I am drawn to his wines but I’m guessing it is more because they are damn good!Randall Grahm

My first of the Bonny Doon wines was the 2008 Vin Gris which I fell head over heels for. From there I picked up a bottle here and there before I took advantage of a few of their “shipping included” six pack offers (get free shipping now on all case orders through November 25th). What I’ve learned over these bottles is these wines bring together a nice balance of new and old world for those that like some rusticity and focus to go along with their fruit (as well as pair it with a meal). Perhaps more exciting they show an excellent QPR track record and consistency from vintage to vintage. I really need to get down to the Santa Cruz Mountains and pay them a visit. I don’t know how many more excuses I need as I am keen to try their new red (the Vino Rosso) and look forward to dining at the Cellar Door Café. While I work on that here are some thoughts on their two latest releases:

  • 2010 Bonny Doon Vineyard Grenache Clos de Gilroy ($18) – Fresh floral aromas with light berry fruit. Light and juicy with tart cranberry, strawberry and hints of rhubarb along with a bright. From there it dries showing white pepper (and a touch of oak) that lingers pleasantly on a soft finish. My 2nd vintage of this one as I enjoyed the ’09 as well.
  • 2007 Bonny Doon Vineyard Le Cigare Volant ($35) – The 23rd version of the flagship Cigare Volant is dominated by Grenache (versus a more even Grenache/Syrah blend in 2006 ). A beautiful nose with layers of aromas. Dark and lush with ripe blueberry flavors and a nice acidity to keep it honest. Slightly tart (yet barrelly sweet and creamy) with dry herbs and soft, lingering tannins on a warm, comforting finish. A lot to like here. Easily drinkable now and appears ready to age effortlessly.

For those that didn’t get enough (if there is one of you…) you can get more Bonny Doon coverage here or head on over to CellarTracker to read more of my tasting notes.

How about you? Are you a fan of Bonny Doon? If not who have you been a fan of lately?

2007 Bonny Doon Vineyard Le Cigare Volant

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2007 Bonny Doon Vineyard Le Cigare VolantPrice: $35.00 @ Bonny Doon Vineyard*

What They Said:

Per Bonny Doon Vineyard “Bright ruby red with a pale purplish rim. Bright cherry aromas with a bit of spice, menthol, and black pepper. On the palate, fresh cherry, currant, and red bramble fruit. Peppery and lively with good acidity around an earthy, savory core.”

What I Think:

(14.4%) 60% Grenache, 32% Syrah, 4% Mourvèdre, 4% Cinsault – Beautiful, layered nose of earthy, berry fruit, herbs and spice. Dark and lush with ripe blueberry flavors and a lot of them on the palate. That said this one isn’t jammy as it has a nice acidity to keep it honest. Slightly tart (yet barrelly sweet and creamy) with dry herbs and soft, lingering tannins on a warm, comforting finish. Nice character and layers of flavor throughout with meaty, herbal, mineral and spice components making appearances. Easily drinkable now and appears ready to age effortlessly. Pair it with steak or the hearty meal of your choice. Perhaps Randall said it best: “the wine is powerful, yet still retains a fair elegance and grace”. A wine I look forward to drinking more of!

Wine Geek Notes: 2,732 cases produced.

Rating: Wow!

*While I did receive a bottle of this wine as a sample I’ve purchased previous versions of this with my very own money and plan on doing so again…

2006 Bonny Doon Vineyard Le Cigare Volant

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Price: $35.00 @ Bonny Doon Vineyard

What They Said:

2006 Bonny Doon Vineyard Le Cigare VolantPer Bonny Doon Vineyard (pdf) “This cuvée, the 22nd edition of Le Cigare Volant a blend of syrah, grenache, cinsault with just a soupçon of mourvèdre and carignane, make for a bright and wonderfully gamey wine. Very youthful with toasty notes of cherry, birch, sassafras and pomegranate. Pair this racey red with a bloomsdale spinach salad with sherry vinaigrette garnished with carpaccio of tuna or beef. Speaking of beef, a rare steak in any number of variations (tri-tip, hanger, New York, filet) would be quite delish. But more exotic fare such as chicken tikka masala or Tandoori lamb chops will also work wonderfully well. While the zesty ’06 is excellent right now, decanting or aging it for 2-3 more years would be all to the good.”

What I Think:

(13.3%) 43.6% Syrah, 43.5% Grenache, 11.7% Cinsault, 1.1% Mourvedre and 0.1% Carignane – The blend percentage as only Randall and crew would tell it this is my first go round with the Le Cigare Volant. Dark red in color with earthy red fruits, spice and almost a hint sweet on a savory nose. Starts rich and lively on a meaty, chewy palate that shows brambly berry fruit. From there it turns tart, earthy and mineral driven before drying out on a peppery finish where the fruit reemerges before giving way to lingering, lip smacking tannins. Nice tannins and structure this is a wine drinks well now but definitely has a brighter future ahead of it. Thankfully I already have one more on hand… (3,300 cases made)

Rating: Wow!