Jason’s Wine Blog

As my post would indicate I have returned. Next on my agenda is a long list post of all the new Trader Joe’s Wines I have had during my absence with ratings. This will be followed by the Top 10 of August. Wish me luck!

Well it has been awhile since my last post but I have good news for you.  Just because I stopped writing does not mean I stopped drinking. The backlog is enormous. Bad news for me! I have about 15 wines waiting including some new versions of previously highly ranked wines and some interesting new candidates such as the Alderbrook Old Vine Zinfandel. Once I get though these I’ll get the best of June list posted. I’m targeting the 10th at the latest. Further, no more lengthy delays, as the queue grows it gets more and more daunting to start. Okay, now to the writing….

I wanted to see if I could track down any of this Red Flyer but again struck out. Little did I care as I found the 2006 version of this Santa Ynez Cabernet Franc which I ranked as my #2 wine of 2007. I bought three bottles on sight. You all should probably wait to get some until I stock up. Just kidding of course, get yours now!

Look out Trader Joe’s!  Walmart wants a piece of your Charles Shaw action.  They, as many others before them, are launching their own low cost label; Oak Leaf.  This from Wine & Spirits Daily:

“In a world where cheap wines generally hail from other countries, Wal-Mart’s private label Oak Leaf wine is joining the ranks of Two Buck Chuck, selling for less than $3 a bottle but to a much bigger consumer base than Trader Joe’s. Oak Leaf took gold and bronze at this year’s wine competition at the Florida State fair and even appeared in Oprah’s “O” magazine. Wal-Mart partners with The Wine Group to produce Oak Leaf. Oak Leaf is almost sure to see a spike in sales as the sour economy encourages consumers to save money, trade-down, and – as you’d have it – shop at Wal-Mart.”

Looks like they have a pretty good marketing push behind this one.  No Walmart’s in San Francisco.  Someone else want to give one of these a try and send me a review?  I’ll be happy to post it.

Went to Trader Joe’s this weekend and true to my Top 10 was looking to stock up. I grabbed ½ a case each of the XS Red Cab and the Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc. I am still well stocked on the Epicuro Aglianico and alas the Red Flyer was nowhere to be found. I picked up six new bottles as well so stay tuned for more about those.

It wasn’t until I got home that I noticed the Geyser Peak was no longer the 2006 but now instead the ’07. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that it is just as good….

UPDATE: The ‘07 Geyser Peak delivered…

Tonight I updated the database and unfortunately found I had about 4 cases of wines outstanding to post on.  I whittled it down to a more manageable number but before I do anything I want to get the Top 10 list for May up as in my head it seems as if there are going to be a bunch of new entries and changes…Tomorrow is the day.  Thanks for bearing with me.  Stay tuned!

Hey all, please bear with me as I am in the middle of a move…houses this time. I am nearly settled but still lacking DSL. I hope to get back to posting over the weekend and have the Top 10 list up for May by early next week.

In the meantime here are some random thoughts. A lot of new comments out there I plan on responding to, thanks for interacting! Makes this much more enjoyable from my end. I also have had a flood of new ratings, always interesting to see how others rate these wines. Would be even better if you commented! I saw a rating come in from my hometown of Milwaukee. Wonder which one of my family members that was? And lastly after a long hard day of moving I opened the Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc and Wow! Though I moved less than 20 miles; here in the Bay Area that can mean significantly better weather which I now have. Look for lots more reviews of whites and roses as I look forward to enjoying my first real summer in a long time….

Got a tip on a new Trader Joe’s wine, the 2005 XS Red California Cabernet Sauvignon (to which the Hess Family is rumored to be linked), I heard mentioned in a post that ended up in my RSS feed so went out to hunt it down today. I came back with yet another Trader Joe’s bargain hunting story on that one plus 4 additional wines, 3 of which are again repeat buys. Backing up my mouth with my wallet! The three repeats were these:

- 2005 Archero Nero d’ Avola Ruggero di Tasso - I have been meaning to grab a $10 or $15 bottle of Nero d’ Avola to sample the quality difference for the price increase. As I had yet to get around to it decided to grab another one of these.

- 2003 Red Flyer California Red - Because it is good and $3, ‘nuff said.

- 2005 Gravity Hills Base Camp Syrah - This one seemed nice on the first go round just want to be reconvinced!

Also grabbed one new one, the 2003 Gaetano D’Aquino Chianti Riserva (which I snagged for a $5 spot here in CA), based off a recommendation from the Wine Oaf.

Look for new reviews soon and as always let me know if you have any recommendations of your own to share!

Picked up a case plus as I was scouting for the best of April posting at Trader Joe’s. Again wanted to tell Parker and the rest of the critics I am still backing up my rankings with my wallet. I grabbed these 8 that I had previously reviewed here.

2004 Evans & Tate Cabernet Sauvignon Underground Series
2006 Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Carmenere
2005 Les Moirets Cotes du Rhone
2005 Perrin Cotes du Rhone Reserve
2006 Callaway California Chardonnay
2004 Columbia Crest Two Vines Cabernet Sauvignon grabbed the Grand Estates too…
2003 Columbia Crest Two Vines Merlot
And the Santa Ynez Gewurtz which I will publish soon…….

Look for write-ups on the 6 new ones over the coming weeks. Some interesting bottles for sure. I already opened the Red Flyer and at $3 it could be promising…

and hopefully past a bit of the writer’s block.  I have at least three wines I am anxious to post as well as a recent tasting event so stay tuned!