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...

2009 Zarafa Sauvignon Blanc

Price: $3.99 @ Trader Joe’s imported by Bordeaux Etc.
What They Said:
I was able to track down Mountain River Wines, who is responsible for making this one, on the intrawebs but their site still highlights the ‘08 bottling. They have yet to post any notes on the latest vintage. From previous versions it appear [...]

2008 Sebastopol Hills Pinot Noir

Price: $9.99 @ Trader Joe’s
What They Said:
Nada, the bottle said absolutely nothing. So the detective work began and I think I found my new best friend. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) COLA (Certificate of Label Approval) registry where a search returned these results. This led me to the Owl [...]

2008 Il Valore Sangiovese

Price: $2.99 @ Trader Joe’s imported by Americal Beverage Group
What They Said:
Per the bottle “This 100% Sangiovese wine from the Puglia region is smooth and fruity with a touch of red berries.”
What I Think:
I had this one a while

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 [...]

2008 VINTJS Syrah

Price: $6.99 @ Trader Joe’s
What They Said:
Per

2007 Trentatre Rosso

Price: $5.99 @ Trader Joe’s imported by Santini Fine Wines
What They Said:
Per the bottle “Trentatre in Italian means: Thirty-three. We came up with this belnd of three exciting varietals quite by chance when barrel tasting “TATA” a Montepulciano is the winemaker’s cellar. Amongst the barrels of Montepulciano ageing in the wine cellars, we [...]

2007 Dr. Jebediah Drinkwell’s Meritage

Price: $8.99 @ Trader Joe’s
What They Said:
There is nothing official here. Though the front of the bottle was appealing the back was filled with lyrics I’ve chosen not to retype here. That said feel free to friend up

2005 Mount Linden Merlot

Price: $3.99 @ Trader Joe’s
What They Said:
Per the bottle “Mount Linden wines are blended using a careful selection of choice grapes from California’s top winemaking region to produce exceptional wines true to their character. Mount Linden wines focus on rich, pure flavors of California’s best vineyards. The lush, cherry fruit of this Mount [...]

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 Trumpeter Malbec

Price: $9.99 @ Pasternak Wines imported by Pasternak Wine
What They Said:
Per wine.com “Inky and dense with attractive berry aromas and a touch of cinnamon and sweet spice. A fully, fruity wine, with excellent body, intense tannins, flavors of cherry, blackberry, boysenberry and plum intermingled with hints of cardamom and pepper, and a long, full [...]