#2 — 2007 Rabbit Ridge Allure de Robles
#3 — 2008 Sauvignon Republic Stellenbosch Sauvignon Blanc
#4 — 2008 VINTJS Syrah
#5 — 2007 Now & Zen Wasabi White
#6 — 2007 Perrin Cotes du Rhone Reserve
#7 — 2008 Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Carmenere
#8 — 2006 Chiusa Grande Tommolo Montepulciano d Abruzzo
#9 — 2008 La Granja Tempranillo
#10 — 2007 Dr. Beckermann Piesporter Michelsberg Riesling Spatlese
Trader Joe’s Wines – Top 10 Wine List
Be sure to check back soon as the next update to the Trader Joe’s Top 10 Wine List is scheduled for June 8th! Consider adding me to your RSS feed or follow along via Facebook to stay up to date. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the long holiday weekend…
1. 2007 Trentatre Rosso ($6) – A wine that has grown on me with every bottle. I am now smitten with this well balanced effort that offers a very nice finish to boot. Supplies are waning and I’ve been grabbing every bottle I can find…
2. 2007 Rabbit Ridge Allure de Robles ($5) – If my readers haven’t emptied stores of this one by now you may still have a chance to get some. The only reason this didn’t make the top spot is the high ABV%. That said, I just grabbed another case of this a few days back. Fantastic stuff!
3. 2008 Sauvignon Republic Stellenbosch Sauvignon Blanc ($7) – I’ve yet to try the Marlborough (91 points from the Wine Spectator) or the Russian River but already stocked up on all three. Pretty soon I intend to do a blind tasting of the lot. Can I pick out the differences in terroir? Stay tuned!
4. 2008 VINTJS Syrah ($7) – As I’ve previously mentioned this wine was made by Bob Lindquist of Qupe. Given how much I’ve enjoyed those wines I was tickled to find this one. I put a case in the cellar which I plan on checking in on in 3 years or so…
5. 2007 Now & Zen Wasabi White ($5) – Another one I’ve enjoyed more with each bottle, this is a perfect pairing for a spicy Thai or Indian dish. I’ve got a few more bottles waiting in the rack for this situtation.
6. 2007 Perrin Cotes du Rhone Reserve ($7) – Another I’ve been enjoying vintage after vintage. I’m a big fan of the GSM comnination. My latest post was the ’05. The ’07 shows nice fruit and pepper/herbal aromas. Still haven’t had better for the money!
7. 2008 Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Carmenere ($8) – I’m sipping this one as I type and think it deserves an even higher rating. A wine I’ve often called “old dependable” as I have been enjoying this for more vintages than I can remember dating back to my pre-blogging days. The first recorded instance is the ’05 vintage. The ’08 shows smoky meat and herbal notes (eucalyptus?) that merge with a dried cherry finish. A nice structure throughout. Never hesitate to grab this one…
8. 2006 Chiusa Grande Tommolo Montepulciano d’ Abruzzo ($5) – A wine that has disappointed few and delivers vintage after vintage. Tart cherries on the nose that make it to the palate with a light tannic, tingly finish. A perfect match for spaghetti and meatballs.
9. 2008 La Granja Tempranillo ($4) – Another I have been drinking with regularity. Apparently this one is a take on “when pigs can fly”. Showing soft rounded fruit up front that leads to a dry, herbal mid-palate and a tongue smacking finish. I’ve already had nearly a case of this one and still have the racks loaded.
10. 2007 Dr. Beckermann Piesporter Michelsberg Riesling Spatlese ($5) – Yet another long time fave, I’ve been enjoying this one since the ’05 vintage. This one now as some competition on the scene with the Now & Zen but is providing a slightly sweeter alternative that is still appealing in this household.
Others of Interest– these crossed my mind as I was writing the latest Top 10… Epicuro Aglianico ($5), Down Under Chardonnay ($3), VINTJS Chardonnay ($7), King Shag Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc ($7), Bogle Petite Sirah ($9), Archero Nero d’ Avola Ruggero di Tasso ($4), Geyser Peak California Sauvignon Blanc ($8), 2008 Honey Moon Viognier ($5), Callabriga Dao Red ($9)
Special Selections– for those looking for bubbly or dessert…
Bubbly: NV Zonin Prosecco Brut ($6) or NV RSVP Brut Sparkling ($6).
Dessert: NV Porto Morgado Ruby Port ($7)
Let me know if you have any thoughts on these or any that I may be missing via the comments below…
This list was last updated on December 27, 2009. To check out the Trader Joe’s Top 10 archives click here.
Just saw at work that the Rabbit Ridge is coming back soon. I’ll check the Order Guide on Sunday and see if it’ll be available yet.
I spotted a few cases of 2008 Rabbit Ridge at TJs today in San Diego’s NTC store; same price at $4.99.
The store’s sommelier also pulled me aside to recommend the Graham Beck “Andrew Bordeaux” for $4.99. It’s a Cab/Merlot/Cab Franc blend. The store received six cases, but hadn’t put it out yet. I’ll give it a try tonight.
@Andy Did you ever get around to trying that one? Let me know if it is worth grabbing. I’m headed that way this weekend…
Yep, I tried the Graham Beck. I didn’t enjoy it as a sipper, as it’s way too smoky. The first time I tried it, the flavor reminded me of a single malt scotch! (It’s only 14.5% alcohol, of course.)
It’s a great palate cleanser, as it instantly removes any lingering flavors.
It’s definitely worth a try if you’re looking for something complex and different — and the $5 price tag can’t be beat. The flavors linger, ranging from smoke, tobacco, leather and earth, but it’s just too smoky for my own sipping palate.
Love reading your reviews, especially because I concur with your enthusiasm for your Top 10 picks. I look forward to your assessment of the Sauvignon Republic Sauv Blanc from NZ. I bought all three when they first arrived at the SD County TJs stores. I would have enjoyed the domestic version if it were the only one available, but the imports really impressed me. The Stellenbosch version would be my choice for spicy Thai or Mexican dishes. The Marlborough was definitely the class of the field, however. Tasting against the other two, I was impressed with its richness and complexity. I kept sipping it and delighting in its impact on my tongue. I’ve never enjoyed a white wine as much as this one. When it was the first to sell out after the initial shipments to the stores, I guess I was in good company!
Hi Jason:
Totally agree with this blog! We too love finding great wines at Trader Joe prices! The 2007 Rabbit Ridge Allure de Robles here at the Livermore Trader Joe’s has been gone for a solid month now. We loved that one and hope that we see more soon….also loved the price! You have a great blog site here, I’d love to get some feed back on what you think about ours. Go to http://www.bryersantis.com. Let me know what you think.
Carl
I recently visited Hudson Valley, its an amazing place and trust me when I say this it has the world’s best winery- Millbrook Vineyard and Winery. If you every get a chance to go there I am sure you would fall in love with the place and the wines too!
I miss your top 10 lists. When is the next one coming out?
Trader Joe’s Rutherford Meritage…85% + Cab Franc. BUY this now…very limited. Excellent 2007 and if there was a Napa label $25-40. My Rating 91 Points. :-)
@JeryyK: So true, so true!
Smooth and delightful, 85% Cab Franc, 15% North Coast Merlot, it’s one of the best private label reds we’ve so far this year.
Thanks for the tip on the TJ Rutherford Meritage, @JerryK and @Angela! It’s truly fine stuff, cellared and bottled by “Behind the Scene Winery.”
Internet sleuthing on the bottler revealed only this google-cached fragment of a Fictious Name Statement in the San Luis Obispo’s Tribune: “Nov 24, 2009… DOING BUSINESS AS: STONEHEDGE WINERY STONEHEDGE WINERY OF NAPA VALLEY STONEHEDGE CELLARS OF NAPA VALLEY BEHIND THE SCENE WINE COMPANY.”
This is such a valuable service to wine drinkers on a budget, i.e. most of us.
Please, please keep this current. (The latest appears to be from the spring, with a promise to refresh on June 8th.)
TIA!
The Rutherford was a huge hit! No Mas. 2 new tips. There is a “Grand Reserve” Chardonnay at $12.99 that is Russian River “Chalk Hill” a very high end chard at a modest price. Chill this wine for less than 2 hours b4 drinking.
New 08 release of the Novella Synergy is a hit. 70 % Zin and Petite Syrah with Cab Sav, Cab Franc, Syrah & Sanjo. Excellent with BBQ and bigger than the 08 Chariot. $6.99 from EOS winery in Paso Robles. Better than the 07. :-)
Happy Labor Day