trader joe's top 10



about jason

focused on finding those wines that deliver great value to the wallet and the palate

the rating system

two tiered — one on the value end and another for those that I am expecting quite a bit more from...

2007 Tablas Creek Côtes de Tablas

Price: $21.99 @ K&L Wines
What They Said:
Per K&L Wines “93 points Robert Parker: “The 2007 Côtes de Tablas is a sensational wine as well as a great bargain. The fact that it is finished with a screw cap may give some consumers the wrong impression, but this is a serious, mouthfilling red. A [...]

2007 Lang & Reed North Coast Cabernet Franc

Price: $19.99 @ K&L Wines
What They Said:
Per K&L Wines “Like a domestic Chinon, the Lang & Reed Cabernet Franc showcases the varietal at its best. Sourced from the High Chaparral, Cross Springs and La Sierra vineyards in Lake County, with small amounts of fruit from the Cafferata and Stanton vineyards in the Napa [...]

2008 Dashwood Sauvignon Blanc

Price: $8.99 @ K&L Wines imported by Pasternak Wine
What They Said:
Per K&L Wines “90 points in the Wine Spectator: “Vivid, refreshing and brimming with lime-accented pear, star fruit and light vanilla flavors, lingering nicely on the expressive finish. Drink now. 2,000 cases imported” (April 2009) Meyer lemon, tangerine, lime zest, papaya and pineapple. [...]

2007 Bodegas Luzon Jumilla

Price: $6.99 @ K&L Wines imported by The Henry Wine Group
What They Said:
Via wine.com “The 2007 Luzon is 65% Monastrell and 35% Syrah. Purple-colored, it exhibits a bouquet of spice box, violets, and blueberry. On the palate this smooth-textured wine offers generous savory fruit, good balance, and a pure finish. Drink it over [...]

2008 Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc

Price: $8.99 @ K&L Wines imported by Huneeus Vinters LLC
What They Said:
Per wine.com “Captures the pungent, alert character inherent to Sauvignon Blanc. This is a peppy wine with spiky tropical and green-fruit aromas and flavors. It’s a mash up of citrus and nettles, with a controlled, fairly long grapefruit-driven finish. Modest in price, [...]

2006 Sobon Estate Rocky Top Zinfandel

Price: $12.99 @ K&L Wines
What They Said:
Per K&L Wines “Rocky Top Tennessee may be home sweet home to Lynn Anderson, but Rocky Top in Amador is home to some fine old Zinfandel vines, and that’s good news for all of us! A very shy producing vineyard with soils of volcanic ash and boulders, [...]

2008 d’Arenberg Hermit Crab

Price: $11.99 @ K&L Wines imported by Old Bridge Cellars
What They Said:
Per wine.com “Expressive aromatics of lime and lemon with peaches, pears and apricot stone jumping out of the glass and spicy, floral notes in the background. Great balance on the palate, the luscious stone fruit and ginger spices harmonized by savory nuty [...]

2004 Tessier Cour Cheverny “La Porte Doree”

Price: $11.99 @ K&L Wines imported by Premier Wine Company
What They Said:
Per K&L Wines “This is from very old vines, 60-85 years of age, to be exact, and these aren’t your average white grape vines, either. This wine is made from the rare Romorantin grape, grown on heavy clay soils. The wine is fermented [...]

2006 Pascual Toso Maipu Valley Malbec

Price: $8.99 @ K&L Wines imported by TGIC Importers
What They Said:
Per K&L Wines ”91 points and the #1 wine on the “Top 100 Best Buys of 2007″ from Wine Enthusiast: “A year or two ago when Paul Hobbs began consulting for Toso things changed for the better. This is the rare Best Buy that can swim [...]

2005 Bibi Graetz Casamatta Bianco

Price: $8.99 @ K&L Wines imported by Trilussa Wine Company
What They Said:
Per K&L Wines “With a super fragrant nose exploding with fresh nectarine, grassy notes, sage, rosemary and lime, this 100% Vermentino aged in stainless steel is crisp and refreshing, loaded with citrus and hints of peach. This is an outstanding effort at an [...]